Carterton town councillors are inviting Government minister Dr Lewis Moonie to view the lack of progress in redeveloping Ministry of Defence housing which has become an "eyesore" in the town.

They want the Defence Minister to inspect the dilapidated housing, which lies empty and boarded-up off Upavon Way.

Mayor Keith Stone said: "We want him to see what a sad state it is in.

"The site is becoming an eyesore and we want the whole lot demolished and redeveloped."

Up to 1,000 homes, originally built for service personnel and families at RAF Brize Norton, could be affected.

A total of 129 have been refurbished and the ministry wants to build 600 replacement homes.

In March, Dr Moonie met Witney MP David Cameron and West Oxfordshire District Council leader Barry Norton to discuss the issue.

He has now written to Mr Cameron to say that the homes would be replaced, but did not say how long this would take.

He said the project would be funded through a Private Finance Initiative.

Mr Norton said yesterday: "That is exactly the point which is worrying us. We have no idea when this will happen, and PFI does take time.

"We also want to know whether there is going to be provision in any redevelopment for social housing for the district."

Carterton town councillors discussed the issue at a meeting on May 20.

Clerk Janet Eustace said: "They are deeply frustrated that nothing appears to be happening.

"They are concerned that the place is turning into a ghetto and is becoming dangerous because of vandalism.

"There is a part of the town which is getting more and more dilapidated, while there are people and families in the area who need homes."

The district council is hoping that, through redevelopment of the area off Northwood Crescent, they will be able to claim up to a third of the new housing for non-military families.