Householders are celebrating the decision to close a lay-by which was used for fly-tipping.

The lay-by on the A4074 near Berinsfield has been a problem ever since it was created in the 1960s when the road was straightened.

Fly-tippers have used the well-screened area to dump old cars, household goods and garden refuse.

But now the county council's highways sub-committee agreed it should be closed in March 2001. It was also decided to reduce the size of another lay-by, at the nearby Golden Balls roundabout, to discourage fly-tipping.

Berinsfield's district councillor, Marc Hiles, said: "The lay-by was all that some people saw of the village as they drove by and it reflected badly on us. You could have fitted out a whole house with items that have been dumped there cookers, fridges, everything. Right now there's an old car, builders' waste and tree-cuttings."

Mr Hiles first won the backing of South Oxfordshire district council, which was having to foot the bill to tow the rubbish away. He then lobbied the county council, leading to last week's victory.