When it comes to a little of what you fancy, it seems that the good burghers of Henley on Thames are more than up for it, writes George Frew.

Despite its rather genteel and restrained image, Henley is apparently awash with supermarket sales of a sex wonderdrug for if Tesco's consumer figures are accurate, the south Oxfordshire town is buzzing under a Niagara of Viagra.

The supermarket giants have revealed that sales of the prescription thrill pill are booming, with Henley accounting for an impressive 1.64 per cent of Tesco's total UK Viagra sales, placing it seventh in the national libido league.

It is thought that Viagra consumption in the town - dubbed The Henley Phenomenon - can be ascribed to its mainly older and more affluent population.

According to the Office of National Statistics, 20 per cent of men in South Oxfordshire are aged between 45 -59, with a further 4.9 per cent clocking in between 60 -64.

But if Viagra sales are rampant in red-hot Henley, it's a different story entirely elsewhere in the county.

Indeed, the majority of Oxfordshire men seem to need no help in doing what comes naturally - Tesco report fewer Viagra sales in the county as a whole than in many other places.

Henley apart, that is.

The drug, which boosts sexual stamina, accounted for 1m of Tesco's takings last year, with the supermarket carrying out its consumer survey after sales shot up, causing supplies to run low.

Before ordering another batch of the ultimate aphrodisiac, the supermarket decided to find out which of their branches sold the most and least Viagra and where demand was likely to swell.

In Henley, it appears that those prescribed the love drug are not shy in coming forward to pick up their pills. "Our pharmacies have reported that customers are very open about buying it, whereas even a year ago they might have waited for a quiet moment before asking. Viagra is becoming increasingly popular now that the novelty has worn off," says Tesco spokesman Simon Soffe.

Embarrassment is no longer part of the equation, then Viagra customers merely stiffen their resolve, hand over their prescriptions and look forward to long nights of love. It is estimated that, so far, over 1,500 packets of Viagra each containing 20 tablets have been sold in Henley, which must make the place close to being the love capital of south Oxfordshire.

Each individual pill costs around 15.50, although Tesco sales are by prescription only.

But were Tesco's surprised that the drug sold so well in Henley, of all places?

"We didn't have any thoughts on individual locations," admits Simon. "We have more pharmacies in our stores now than ever before and we carried out the survey to make sure that we had enough Viagra to meet demand."

WELL, then was he surprised that customers were no longer shy about asking for the love aid?

"No, it doesn't surprise me that people are no longer embarrassed about asking for Viagra," he replies.

"I think that when it hit the UK at first, there was a certain amount of media humour about it all, but that's passed (don't bet on it) and doctors are now more willing to prescribe the drug."

Certainly Dr Tom Jones (his real name), primary care medical adviser to Oxfordshire Public Health would have no hesitation in prescribing Viagra provided that the medical criteria were met.

It's not a good idea to take Viagra if you have severe kidney or liver disease or are being treated for angina.

"I think one of the initial worries about Viagra was the problems it might cause, not because of the intrinsic effect of the drug itself, but because of the unaccustomed exertions it might provoke...let me check my reference book... Hmmm. It's not thought to have too many side effects although all new drugs during their first three years of use carry a black triangle, which means that doctors and pharmacists have to report every side effect. I don't think that there is any limit, age-wise, concerning its efficiency although I'm sure it would vary in people. But if a perfectly fit 80-year old came along and asked me for it, provided he had no evidence of cardio-vascular disease, I would caution him but prescribe Viagra in its lower dose of 25mg."

Indeed, as Dr Tom Jones might have added, it's not unusual for men in late life to be still keen on being sexually active.

And if the last of the red-hot lovers really do live in Henley, it seems that after over two years on the market, Viagra is their drug of choice, when it comes to rising to the occasion...

The Oxford Heart Valve Bank provides a life-saving service of which we should all be proud.

It saves 350 people every year and stands as one of the jewels in the Oxfordshire healthcare crown.

But unless it finds 150,000 for labaratory renovations, its future hangs in the balance. Oxfordshire Health Authority doesn't have the cash. Neither does the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Trust. Yet without it, the doors will close putting many lives, from across the country as well as Oxfordshire, at serious risk.

It seems incredible that those at the Department of Health didn't have the ability of foresight to see that imposing rigorous new guidelines for centres to comply with in such a relatively short time would turn the screw on the pioneering Oxford service.

That screw tightens every day. And it now seems that only a generous backer or a sympathetic public can help relieve the growing pressure.

On the face of it, some people might be inclined to raise a wry smile and even praise the enterprise of the Worcester Street car park beggars who have worked out that used parking tickets with time still to run on them can be exchanged for cash from other motorists.

But their enterprise, however ingenious, is illegal and starving the county council of vitally needed cash resources.

Its illegality aside, some motorists may feel uncomfortable in handing over their used tickets to these new breed of street collectors, and some may even feel pressured into buying one they don't really need.

Imagine the single woman alone in the car park at night. Does she really want the prospect of discussing her ticketing arrangements with a stranger who, if desperate, may employ an unnecessary high pressure sales pitch? Those in charge must act now to remove these individuals.

The board of directors at Oxford United must check their diaries next season and pay particular attention to the month of August.

The Nationwide season kicked off on Saturday, with thousands of youngsters up and down the country proudly wearing their new club kits to games and no doubt plastering their bedroom walls during the summer with squad photos of their favourite team.

Isn't it curious, then, that United took their team pictures yesterday two days after the season started.

Whatever problems they may have had with the new kit and their sponsors, this PR blunder cannot be allowed to happen again next year.