ACTIVISTS in Oxford have taken to the streets to campaign for Jeremy Corbyn to remain leader of the Labour Party.

Members of the grassroots group Momentum said the Islington North MP inspired them to get involved in local issues.

As well as campaigning for Mr Corbyn to win the Labour leadership competition next month, they also hope to raise awareness about issues such as housing.

In an interview with the Oxford Mail at the East Oxford Community Centre, members of the group said it had brought together a wide range of people from different backgrounds in the city.

Film director Rob Lemkin, 54, said: "What Momentum and Mr Corbyn represent to me is the opportunity for real participatory politics, where we do not just rely on leaders and people in high places to do things.

"Everyone should have a say in how society and the country are run."

Members of the group said they felt national newspapers had misrepresented their movement, after it was claimed to be a vehicle for hard-left activists trying to "infiltrate" Labour.

Tom Watson, Mr Corbyn's deputy, has personally warned the party was being targeted by "Trotsky entryists", with some MPs who disagree with Momentum fearing they will be targeted for deselection.

But Bridget Anderson, a professor at Oxford University, said accusations of "sinister" motives did not match up with what she had experienced.

She also said the group's diversity was unprecedented, with meetings regularly packing out whole rooms.

The 54-year-old added: "It is really mixed in ages. It's quite rare to have something that attracts people from all over Oxford, whatever their background.

"People don't all have the same beliefs but it allows us to have political conversations.

"The way it has been portrayed as a hero-worshipping group based Jeremy Corbyn is a complete misrepresentation."

Becky Boumelha, 23, and sister Lottie, 18, said they had both joined Momentum after feeling disenfranchised with politics.

Lottie said: "I love it, because it has taught me about what is going on in Oxford and how we can help.

"There are different groups running, including some on areas specific to issues like housing and if you are interested you can just get involved."

Student Adnan Rahman added: "A lot of Labour Party members were getting fed up, because so many decisions were being taken from the top down and people weren't being consulted.

"The party's lurch to the right also left a lot of people feeling left behind.

"Jeremy Corbyn is not an establishment figure and that is refreshing."

The group also has plans to hold events to discuss the Government's controversial Prevent strategy, which attempts to stop radicalisation of young people.

They say it unfairly targets certain communities, such as Muslims, and want to hear people's experiences of how it has affected them to see if it can be changed.

Dan Iley-Williamson, who was recently elected as Holywell's city councillor for Labour, said Momentum is still "a very new organisation," but people are enthusiastic, engaged and positive".

He added: "We are still figuring out what we want to do, but the aim is to help democratise the Labour Party.

"It is also about politicising issues that people do not realise can be changed through politics. Things can be different, and we want to show people that."