The latest weapon against metal thieves has been unveiled in Oxfordshire – the fibreglass manhole cover.

Oxfordshire County Council is trying out one of the new covers in the hope it will stand up to the rigours of traffic and provide an alternative to metal.

Over the last two months, metal thieves have stolen 30 gully gratings along the A40, and others on the A420.

The fibreglass alternatives, made by a firm in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, are also being trialled by Transport for London and Cambridge Water.

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Paul Smith said: “Given the trend for the traditional metal manhole covers to be a target for thieves, it is interesting to look at alternatives.”

Oxfordshire’s sole fibreglass manhole cover has been installed in Oxford Road, Banbury, outside the Horton Hospital.

Metal manhole covers cost local authorities approximately £300 each, according to the Local Government Association.

The fibreglass alternatives are currently more expensive than metal covers, but have a 15-year lifespan and no value on the scrap market.