Fences have gone up around a community centre in Cowley in a bid to stop people dumping rubbish and fly-tipping.

The new metal fences, which have lockable gates and surround two thirds of the Regal Community Centre in Ridgefield Road, cost £10,000 and were paid for by Oxford City Council's Cowley area committee.

Ali Akkas, chairman of the Regal Area Community Association which runs the centre, said the fences completed a major refurbishment of the centre which cost about £16,000.

He said: "We had problems with people dumping rubbish here and we were always having to clean it.

"People were also parking their cars in our car park and not using the centre. We have been asking for some money to put up these fences for some time.

"We're very pleased about getting the fences. It will help us keep the centre nice and clean and provide a very good service to the rest of the community.

"It's a very well-used community centre and we have a lot of groups which meet here. I have spoken to a lot of people about it and they feel a lot more safe and secure too."

As well as domestic rubbish and bulky items, the centre had been used as a dumping ground for waste building materials.

Last November city council workers were called to clear up tonnes of soil and bricks left outside the centre. Councillor Sajjad Malik, who represents the area on the city council, said: "Fly-tipping was a very regular problem.

"Although it's a matter of educating people not to drag their bulky items and all sorts of rubbish, this will also help.

"People who came to use the community centre at night weren't able to park because other people would come and dump their cars there, so putting the gates and fences up will prevent that.

"It's one of those areas that has been run down in the past so getting the fencing has given it a facelift."

Mr Malik said it was important residents and landlords were made aware of the arrangements for rubbish and recycling collection.