Two decades ago people with learning disabilities were either hidden away in large institutions or cared for by their families.

One of the council's initiatives, to encourage people with learning disabilities to lead a more independent life, has been to support them to live in their own homes, rather than hostels.

Aileen Bird, who is responsible for the Oxford Supported Living Scheme, said: "The problem is that hostels for people with learning disabilities were created.

"Hostels have encouraged people to think the residents could not live in ordinary houses and access community services, so we are now trying to reverse that myth."

Since 1996, two hostels for people with learning disabilities in Oxford and Banbury have closed and a third in Witney is set to shut this month. Residents have taken up tenancies in the community with support from social services staff.

Many sceptics of supported living do not realise that people requiring 24-hour help receive the same level of care in their own accommodation as they would do in a hostel.

If they need somebody to be there at night, a care assistant will sleep in as part of their shift.

People can choose to live on their own or with a small group of friends.

Providing people with support at home also enables them to claim benefits they would not be entitled to receive if they were living in a hostel.

Mrs Bird said nobody who had moved into their own home would choose to go back to a hostel.