Business leaders have outlined their targets for the coming year with transport, planning and crime topping the list.

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce president Jean Charmak said there were plenty of reasons to be optimistic but Government investment and action to tackle barriers to growth were vital.

He said: "Businesses should look forward with optimism.

"The economy is well placed to ride out the recessionary conditions seen in many markets abroad with unemployment and inflation very low."

Mr Charmak said each local chamber, including Oxfordshire, would be working on action plans targeting key priorities.

He said: "Each of those plans has a slate of public and private transport improvements which need Government commitment in the form of investment.

"We will also be looking to the Government to reduce the burden of regulation and red tape to clear away the obstacles to growth and jobs which exist in the planning system and to focus extra resources on tackling business crime."

Meanwhile, Bicester and District Chamber of Commerce has outlined six key issues affecting the town, with the aim of tackling one per month.

They are: identifying training initiatives, town centre planning issues, education, roads, skills and recruitment, and the region.