Students are to be employed by a district council to survey its car parks.

Once it is complete, the information will be used by the policy committee for a parking strategy.

The use of students during the summer will cost around £2,500, South Oxfordshire District Council's Cabinet was told. They will survey all the car parks to find out who uses them, how long people stay and what percentage of spaces are usually occupied.

The car-parking strategy will look at pricing, the effect on businesses and shops, the need and cost of maintenance of existing car parks and the possible need for more.

The policy will be looked at by Thames Valley police, town and parish councils and Oxfordshire County Council.

Once the strategy has been compiled, it will go to the Cabinet.