Money being spent on secretaries at Oxford Town Hall should be diverted to pay for public health checks, according to a city cabinet member.

Mary Clarkson, executive member for the environment, recommended the move at a meeting of the city council's executive board on Monday, December 23.

Mrs Clarkson said a temporary secretary's post could be axed, saving £10,000 between now until April, to pay for water quality and food sampling tests.

The Oxford Mail revealed in mid-December that checks for bacteria at council-run swimming pools were abandoned in mid-October.

The tests have since been reinstated.

Chief executive Marion Headicar has promised to investigate the events leading to pool tests being abandoned.