Rosemarie Higham, mayor of Banbury, and Robert Forster, of Adshel, take cover in one of the town's 25 new bus shelters.

Rosemarie Higham, mayor of Banbury, and Robert Forster, of Adshel

The town council has signed an agreement with Adshel to supply and maintain the shelters free of charge.

Advertising on 15 of the specially-designed structures will cover the firm's costs.

They will also be covered by a strict cleaning and maintenance programme, courtesy of Adshel.

Mrs Higham, the chairman of the council's planning committee, which negotiated the agreement, said: "Bus shelters are essential for people who use public transport, especially in bad weather.

"We're delighted to have secured 25 new shelters at no cost to the ratepayers."

Four of the shelters, in or near Bridge Street, will be designed so they can be removed during the town's annual fair.

Karen Thomson, Adshel's development director, said: "This is good value for residents. It provides brand new bus shelters which will benefit the whole community.

"We're delighted to work with the council and hope to be able to provide more street furniture in the future."