The new chairman of the Bicester and District Chamber of Commerce issued a challenge to local businessmen this week.

Keith Watson said local businessman needed to look to the future.

Mr Watson said: "I intend to produce a discussion paper to look at a proper vision for Bicester. We need to look at the key issues and then produce a strategy and then decide what we are going to do about it."

Among the issues he wanted to examine were the town centre partnership, employment, housing, tourism, planning and future development, training and education.

Mr Watson, chief executive of the North Oxfordshire Consortium at Heyford Park, the former Upper Heyford airfield, succeeded Paul Jobling as chairman.

On becoming the chamber's first president, Mr Jobling said members were playing an important role in the strategic issues facing the Cherwell district.

Mr Jobling said: "We must do whatever we can to ensure that the town and the surrounding area is run and promoted properly."