Drug-taking and excessive drinking are on the increase at an Oxford park that was given a facelift to deter addicts, residents claim.

Mary-Jane Sareva with her daugher Amisa at the play area

Mary-Jane Sareva, of Morrell Avenue, said she often saw people dealing in drugs and abusing alcohol when she visited Manzil Gardens, Cowley Road, with her six-year-old daughter, Amisa.

East Oxford Action, a government-funded regeneration partnership, spearheaded a revamp of Manzil Gardens -- once dubbed 'Heroin Park' -- to return it to community use.

But Ms Sareva, 41, said the return of drug-users and drunks to the park could once again drive away families.

She added: "There's frequently groups of drunks drinking outside the park and there's drug dealing going on as well."

But Sgt Jim O'Ryan, who leads the east Oxford beat team, said: "The place is ten times better than before.

"We've had some success in getting prison sentences against local drug dealers."

Susan Brown, Oxford City Council executive member for crime and community safety, said: "If residents are concerned about drug use, we encourage them to work with police and report incidents to them.

"We all have a part to play in ensuring the park remains a place the whole community can use."