Repairs to anti-erosion measures along the River Thames in Oxford have been hailed a success.

Work has been carried out on patches of willow stakes woven into the river bank near Abbey Road to form a barrier.

The city council, Environment Agency and county council spent £60,000 in November 1999 to fit the willow instead of the normal metal spiling, which would have cost £300,000.

However, problems continued and parts of the bank and towpath began slipping away in spring 2002.

The city council agreed to pay £10,000 for repairs to be carried out this March after staff from the parks department found the willow had not been properly maintained.

The council refused a £5,000 maintenance plan offered by Waterside UK, which fitted the willow.

Osney and Jericho councillor Susanna Pressel said the scheme was now working.

She said: "It's still early days, but things look to have been a success.

"It seems to be holding back the currents and, hopefully, it will be strong enough by winter to withstand the bad weather.

"I still believe this was a better, more attractive option than ugly metal spiling."

Clanfield-based Waterside UK said the strengthening would continue to work as long as the willow was properly maintained.