Tonight: It will be a mainly dry night with long clear spells, leading to a widespread and sharp frost. Tomorrow: Another cold start, but becoming warmer with a fresh 10mph to 15mph wind. a chance of rain later. Story date: Wednesday 15 December Converted
THE man who has put Cambridge University at the top of the fundraising tree has arrived in Oxford, pledging to create a "philanthropic culture". Development director Mike Smithson, credited with helping to forge Cambridge's 'silicon fen' image, has started
UNITED are revising their predicted gate figure for next week's FA Cup replay against Nottingham Forest after what they describe as "a very encouraging demand for tickets". Club secretary Mick Brown reckoned there may be only 5,500 at the third round
AMIE Cook will step into the breach for Oxford United this Saturday with boss Mickey Lewis urging him: "Go on, you've got your chance, now take it!" The 20-year-old from Witney made a big impact when he came up front on as a substitute, along with wingback
JAGUAR is planning a spiritual successor to the legendary E-Type, it was reported this week. The two-seater "baby XK8", very much a secret project, is in the early stages of development, according to this week's Auto Express magazine. The car would be
COVER Notes, a free bikers magazine with features on Harley riding Boyzone star Ronan Keating and a host of rare modern and classic bikes, has been published by leading motorcycle insurer, Carole Nash Insurance Consultants. The third issue of the magazine
DRIVERS are being invited to submit special motoring moments for a competition as part of an exhibition called 'The Open Road' being staged at the National Motor Museum. Motorists are being invited to submit entries in two classes: * Motoring Memories
Fat from turkeys and other festive roasts could be cooking up problems for householders and the environment, Thames Water has warned, write Andrew Ffrench. Over the extended Christmas and Millennium holiday, the company is expecting a 25 per cent increase
THE Renault Clio has raced to the top of the European small car sales chart. The car has scooped 10.47 per cent of the market this yearand the range is due to expand next year with the arrival of the performance Renaultsport Clio 172 2.0 16V. Charity
MOTORISTS convicted of causing road deaths have been enlisted to help deliver a hard-hitting campaign against drink-driving. TV and radio advertisements this Christmas will feature drink-drivers - all of whom have killed and are in prison - giving harrowing
ASTON Martin is marking the new Millennium with the introduction of finger-tip operated electronic control for the automatic transmission of the 185mph Bloxham-built Aston Martin DB7 Vantage. Developed in conjunction with transmission manufacturers ZF
A council is facing a £180,000 security bill to keep watch on an old people's home it closed, writes Mark Templeton. Oxfordshire County Council faced widespread criticism when it shut Oseney Court in Botley Road, Oxford, as part of social services cuts
Householders are being urged to take a few simple steps to ensure a crime-free Christmas and New Year, writes Andrew Ffrench. Each year, people fall victim to thieves who steal Christmas presents from their homes and cars. To raise public awareness of
A hospitals in Oxfordshire may have to stop paying major suppliers after falling into "dire financial straits", writes Victoria Owen. The Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, comprising three Oxford hospitals - the John Radcliffe, Churchill and Radcliffe
A Millennium mug designed by a nine-year-old schoolgirl is selling like hot cakes, writes Roseena Parveen. Villagers at Long Wittenham, near Didcot, are queuing to put in their orders for a mug that marks their place at the end of the 20th century. The
In the frantic run up to Christmas, Gretel Parker will be working 11-hour shifts stacking supermarket shelves with bread and cakes to fund her small business The Tiddler Press which aims to bring a little magic to its readers, writes Janet McMeekin. Launched
Tearful father Gareth Chaplin made an emotional plea for his missing son Paul to come home, writes Phil Clee. His voice broke as he read out a personal message to his 20-year-old son who has been missing for a week. And he appealed to friends to help
OXFORD United's remarkable form since manager Mickey Lewis has been in charge continued at Nottingham on Friday. The battling U's took their run of unbeaten games to 11 with a terrific equaliser from substitute Paul Powell. It gives United every chance
MOTORCYCLISTS are supporting a petition which calls on the Government to introduce legislation which will make biking a safer form of transport. Bennetts, the leading motorcycle insurance provider, is petitioning the Government to introduce legislation
Social services chiefs are set to axe senior managers in a radical shake-up to save £255,000, writes Mark Templeton. Oxfordshire County Council's social services department plans to get rid of five assistant directors' posts and seven service managers
A man and a boy died after their car was involved in a horrific smash with a lorry today. Paramedics battled in vain to save the four-year-old child who was later pronounced dead at The Horton Hospital, Banbury. The man, aged 39, died at the scene. Police
CITROEN'S Xsara is the sort of car you could safely recommend to your father. Spacious, with a high level of standard equipment, the Xsara is a quality performer from the ground up, with a long list of innovative features and user-friendly touches. Better
By RUSSELL SMITH WITNEY Town chairman Brian Constable has spoken of his increasing disillusionment with the game - and admitted he would quit the club if a big-money backer offered to take over. Although Witney are having a good season on the pitch with
When Julie Spence failed to win promotion with the Avon & Somerset Constabulary, she didn't hesitate, writes andrew Ffrench. Then working as an inspector with the force in the early 1990s, she felt she was unfairly denied the role of Chief Inspector
