LOOSE roof panels on a building in Cowley which posed a "real risk to the public" had to be removed by the fire service this morning.

Crews from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the building in Templars Retail Park at about 10.30am after receiving reports that it was unsafe.

A crew from Slade Park fire station and a high-reach engine from Rewley Road were sent to the scene and made the building safe by removing the panels.

Group manager Richard Smith from the fire service said the panels had been dislodged by high winds.

Incident commander crew manager Tom King said β€œIt was clear on arrival that the damaged roof posed a real risk to the public.

"By utilising one of the brigades specialist vehicles it was possible to remove the damaged roof sections and bring the incident to a safe and successful conclusion.”