A 12-month plan to provide sporting opportunities for disabled people has been launched in north Oxfordshire.

Cherwell District Council said the plan, in conjunction with the redevelopment of sports centres in Banbury, Bicester, and Kidlington, would meet the needs of everyone in the area.

The scheme was launched at Spiceball Sports Centre in Banbury. The speakers included Karen Selby, regional manager for the English Federation of Disability Sport.

She praised Cherwell for what she described as forward thinking - the first of its kind in Oxfordshire.

The highlight of the launch was a speech by blind multi-world record holder Steve Cunningham, who lost his sight at the age of 12.

He urged the council's newly-formed sports development group to push ahead with the provision of disabled sports, saying it would have a "tremendous impact".

Since losing his sight, Mr Cunningham has held the world junior blind 100m record, represented Great Britain in the 1989 disabled European Championships, played for the England blind football and cricket teams, held the blind land speed record, been the fastest blind man on water, and this summer set a new record by flying an aeroplane around Britain. Mr Cunningham, who lives at Lois Weeden, runs Blind Vision - a support charity for people with disabilities - from offices in Middleton Cheney.

The council's sports development officer Sue McGrath said: "The scheme will make sure there are enough coaches qualified to work with disabled people, and we will be in touch with local sports clubs to make sure they are accessible by people with disabilities.

"The main thing is to raise awareness of the opportunities in sport for disabled people and to raise training levels."

Norman Bolster, the council's executive member for recreation, said the disability plan was the result of close working with groups and individuals.