Area forums are being set up in south Oxfordshire to try to get people more closely involved in local affairs.

They will be based in the four towns of Thame, Wallingford, Didcot and Henley with a separate one for the Oxford fringe. Each will have a senior council officer as an "area champion".

The initiative follows a series of successful public meetings last year.

South Oxfordshire District Council hopes the forums will bring together town and parish councils and members of the public to discuss local issues. It hopes the feedback will help keep members more in touch with people's concerns.

The meetings will have a basic agenda but leave plenty of time for matters to be taken from the audiences.

They will not replace town and parish councils, which are being consulted about the proposals, and will not have any executive powers.