A Union leader appealed to councillors to rethink plans to move council staff into new offices - because they are too cramped.

Unison secretary Martin Gregory told Oxford City Council that staff didn't want to move to the purpose-built offices above the new BhS store in Queen Street.

His last-ditch appeal came three months after councillors went ahead with plans to move staff to the new building - despite a demo by 50 council workers outside the town hall.

Mr Gregory told councillors some environmental services department staff should stay in existing offices in New Inn Hall Street and Cornmarket Street to ease overcrowding in the new Ramsay House offices.

He warned: "This move can only be done by squashing them into cramped con- ditions. It's simply not worth jeopardising staff morale and productivity. Overcrowding contributes to stress. "Output would drop if cramped conditions were imposed."

City council leader John Tanner said: "I understand staff are worried about a move to new offices.

But he added: "We are a modern and efficient council and want to make the most of our office space.

"We are continuing to talk with staff about their new, purpose-built accomm- odation."

The old offices will be rented out to generate income for the council.

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