North Kidlington is a step closer to having better sports and leisure facilities after plans for a community youth project were unveiled.

A model showing how the Park Hill recreation ground in Benmead Road could be developed under a proposed £350,000 scheme is now on show at the village's Exeter Hall.

A new building with a youth activity area, a children's play area and two junior football pitches are proposed along with car parking.

Half the cash has already been pledged by Cherwell District Council, Kidlington Parish Council and Kidlington Recreational Trust.

It is hoped a £150,000 bid for National Lottery cash could secure the development's future.

A decision is expected next year and organisers hope work could begin soon afterwards. The project has evolved after complaints that north Kidlington was deprived of good facilities for youngsters, compared to the south of the village.

If the project goes ahead, the new facilities would be available for use by local playgroups, after-school clubs, football teams, holiday play-schemes and a table tennis club.

Christine Witcher, the parish council's environment committee chairman, said: "The plans have been received really positively. People are desperate for this end of Kidlington to have better facilities.

"At the moment, the recreation ground is a huge empty field. The building is old and needs to be demolished and the car park is an absolute mess. There's nothing for the kids. Once we have secured lottery funding we hope to go ahead in the new year."