Woodstock's historic town centre is not the right place for an unsightly bus shelter, according to town councillors.

But more than 100 passengers have signed a petition urging them to think again on behalf of people who have to wait in the wind and rain.

The town is on the A20 route from Oxford to Chipping Norton which operators Stagecoach and Oxfordshire County Council want to be classed as one of the county's premium routes.

Noam Bleicher, spokesman for the Oxford group of Bus Users UK, said the stop, outside the Marlborough Arms in Oxford Street, was the main boarding point in Woodstock town centre, not just for buses to Oxford but also others to nearby villages such as Bladon and Long Hanborough.

Mr Bleicher added: "Other county towns such as Witney have decent waiting facilities. Motorists in Woodstock are very well provided for with two car parks, so we would like bus users to be provided for as well.

"This is a sensitive location, but if both councils worked together I am sure they could choose an appropriate shelter design."

The Bus Users group has given the 101-signature petition to the town council.

Woodstock mayor Colin Carritt said there was an "aesthetic objection", as the site was in the town's conservation area.

He added: "This part of Woodstock is particularly attractive, with its old stone buildings, gable windows, that sort of thing.

"The example of the shelter they have showed us was extremely tall and overbearing, but it was a close vote and we would be willing to reconsider if there was a decent alternative."

A bus shelter is already provided out of the town centre, near Cadogan Park.