The election trail has started in Oxfordshire as the main political parties gear up for the district council elections on Thursday May 4.

Some 61 seats on Oxford City Council, West Oxfordshire and Cherwell district councils, in addition to two county council by-elections, are up for grabs.

With that in mind, the county was awash with political activity yesterday as activists pounded the streets looking for votes.

Conservative Party leader and Witney MP David Cameron met party activists during a day in his West Oxfordshire constituency.

Mr Cameron led campaigners on a walkabout of the town, drumming up support among shoppers.

But it is in Oxford where the Tories' face their toughest test, hoping to elect their first city councillor since 2002.

Conservative county councillor Ian Hudspeth, who represents Woodstock, is co-ordinating the Tories' assault on the Town Hall, which is currently run by a minority Labour administration.

He said: "We are aware there are no Tory city councillors, but I am sure there will be after May 4.

"There has been a 'Cameron effect' in so much as people are more aware of the Tories.

"Our policies are not just old-style Conservative and we are looking at everything particularly the environment and law and order."

The Liberal Democrats launched their election manifesto in Oxford yesterday April 11 under the mantra "People come first", promising to "free Oxford from the dreary authoritarianism of Labour" through a clean-up of neighbourhoods and more devolved power to communities.

The Greens drafted in MEP Caroline Lucas to launch their campaign in Oxford where the party is seeking to improve on their seven seats.

And Ms Lucas wasted no time in firing a broadside at the Tories.

She said: "Every time David Cameron is asked to discuss a specific policy proposal you see him ducking and diving, slipping and sliding.... At the moment there is a completely blank page."

Labour also faces a stern test in the city, not least because the group is losing five city councillors.

Leader Alex Hollingsworth, his partner Susan Brown, Bill Baker, Bill Buckingham and Beryl Keen are all retiring at the elections.

Ms Brown said: "Our party is far stronger than a few individuals.

"It is a difficult set of elections, we are defending a lot of seats this time.

"I don't even try and make predictions before people have cast their vote, but I hope we will still have a Labour-run council."