GRAFFITI artists will get their own "canvas" in the form of a wall in Eynsham next week.

The village's Neighbourhood Action Group has joined forces with police to provide the wall at the skateboard park in Oxford Road from next Thursday. The wall is being painted over by Nag members in the hope that providing somewhere for graffiti will stop vandalism elsewhere.

Nag chairman Ron Hollis said: "We hope that providing a blank canvas and an opportunity to graffiti without any repercussions will appeal to youngsters, especially during half-term week. Graffiti has been a particular problem in Eynsham but by providing a designated wall for this use, we hope residents will see we are going some way to tackling it."

A poster contest has been organised by Thames Valley Police inviting youngsters aged five to 14 to submit their designs to help in the fight against criminal damage. The winners will be announced at the launch of the grafitti wall.