Electronic bollards costing £10,000 could be installed in Abingdon's Market Place to deter illegal parking.

The plan is to install a rising bollard system operated by swipe cards or a keypad code system.

Only traders who need to have access to the square, council officials and the emergency services would be allowed in. The present gate system near the bottom of the shopping precinct is not proving efficient and allows easy access.

Investigations by the town council show a continuing rise in estimates for the proposed new scheme, the latest being £10,500.

The issue has been referred to the council's community and general purposes committee to carry out further investigations into the project.

Abingdon's Market Place is a key feature of life in the town. There is a weekly market on Mondays and various functions are held there, particularly during the summer months.

The council is keen to inject more vitality into the town centre and wants to see more use made of what is regarded as a prime site.

There are concerns about the deteriorating state of parts of the cobbled surface.

The council believes much of the damage is being caused by cars and vans driving around and parking illegally in the area.