A hospital's new children's ward could get a 50,000-pound boost from Cherwell District Council.

The grant would halve the deficit between money raised and funds needed for the Holbech children's ward at the Horton Hospital, Banbury.

The windfall would be the result of a campaign by Cllr George Parish, who put the idea forward in July.

He said then: "In this Millennium year I propose that the council makes a donation of 50,000 pounds towards the capital cost of 790,000 pounds for the new paediatric ward at the Horton.

"A total of 550,000 pounds has already been found leaving a shortfall of 240,000 pounds, of which 140,000 pounds has been found by charitable appeal. 100,000 pounds is still required."

The motion was adjourned without debate to the next ordinary meeting of the council so that the resources and policy committees could discuss it. The policy committee recommended that the award should go ahead.

It will be finalised at the full council meeting on Monday.