A barrier has been put in place in Wood Farm, Oxford, to prevent joyriders threatening the safety of youngsters using a new play area.

City council workers installed 134 wooden bollards around the perimeter of The Green in Wood Farm on Monday.

The move follows the news that a multi-use basketball and football area and play facility for young people are being created at The Green.

It is hoped the area will be up and running before the start of the school summer holidays at the end of July.

The decision to install the bollards was taken after concerns were raised by members of the council's north east area committee about the number of joyriders using the site to dump and torch stolen cars.

Residents were also worried about children's safety.

Local resident Peter Bonney, who lives in Nuffield Road, Wood Farm, said: "I'm glad to see the posts being installed. They look pretty solid and are definitely necessary."

The street sports and play area is being funded by a £248,696 Big Lottery grant, with about £65,000 being used to create a fenced-off 18m by 30m street sports site with basketball nets and goalposts.

The remaining £180,000 is being spent on improving the existing playground in Wood Farm which currently includes a dilapidated children's slide and two other pieces of play equipment.