INSPIRATIONAL stories which chart the lives of people in Oxford could be told on TV.

Struggles against alcoholism, immigration problems and mental health worries were among the tales revealed for a new programme aimed at getting people telling their own stories.

People headed to Blackbird Leys Library on Tuesday to register their tales for the national BBC My Story competition.

The most interesting from across Britain will be featured on TV, and five people will have their accounts published in a book.

Library staff were on hand to help people articulate their stories as clearly as possible.

Simon Perks, 47, of Sorrell Road, Oxford, revealed how his battle with alcohol destroyed his relationship – and almost cost him his life.

He said: “I worked at the Blackbird Leys Social Club from the age of 13, and that’s when I started drinking.

“It started with halves of bitter shandy, but before long I was no longer adding lemonade. Then it became pints.

“As I got older I got a job in a nearby butchers and I could drink four pints in my lunch break. All my money went on alcohol, and it made me so jealous of my girlfriend I ended up hitting her.

“I got kicked out of my parents’ home and was living in their shed.

“I started coughing up blood and was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, and nurses did not think I would make it through the night.”

Mr Perks, who had his final drink in March 1988 and beat cancer three years ago, added: “I’m not looking for sympathy or self pity. I just have to face up to what I have done in the past.

“I caused everybody who loved me so much heartache.

“My family would cross the road to avoid me. Now I’ve got my life back, and I have had to learn from all the mistakes.”

Tashoye Campbell, 24, of North Way, Headington, told how she suffered three miscarriages before giving birth to a healthy baby boy last year.

She said: “It was the most devastating period in my life, because I lost three babies in less than 12 months.

“Doctors warned me I might find it difficult to conceive, which was devastating to hear, so it was a wonderful surprise when I fell pregnant unexpectedly.

Her son, Tyree Ferguson, was born in March last year.

Ms Campbell said: “He is such a strong and tall little boy, and he has made me so happy.

“I want to go back to college and study English and science now and one day become a lawyer. You have to take care of yourself in this life, and I have my little boy to think of.”

Librarian John Pilling said: “We are really pleased with how the day has gone.

“There have been some very interesting stories.”

MALCOLM'S STORY Once a promising footballer, Malcolm Lumb, 60, saw his dreams destroyed when he suffered a nervous breakdown aged 18.

He spent three years in Littlemore Hospital, where he had electric shock treatment. He once escaped and ran the 10 miles back to his family home in Benson.

After he was released, he worked at the Cowley car plant, but his life changed when he took up marathon running aged 33.

A natural athlete, Mr Lumb, who lives in Abingdon, went on to compete in marathons across the world.

Later, he beat a serious gambling addiction.

He said: “My life has had so many ups and downs, but it is important to keep going. I have had some wonderful experiences, and some terrible times, but I now feel I am in control again.” IBIRONKE'S STORY Ibironke Bidmos, who lives in Blackbird Leys, was one of the top haematologists in her home country of Nigeria — but cannot even find a job stacking shelves in Oxford.

She moved to the city four months ago with her son Ade, pictured, on a highly-skilled visa, but she has been unable to find a job and is living off her savings from home.

Ms Bidmos said: “It is really quite patronising because I am being turned down for everything.

“I was highly respected in my field back home because I had studied for a long time and worked hard to get where I was. Now I am subjected to a string of basic literacy tests.”

She added: “I came here with high hopes but they have yet to materialise properly.

“I feel quite trapped.”