Graffiti, broken glass, litter and poor lighting in an Oxford subway has led to calls for urgent improvements to be made.

The subway, connecting the Risinghurst estate with Headington under the Green Road roundabout, has become an eyesore, according to local councillor Tia MacGregor.

Dr MacGregor has become frustrated with seeing offensive material on the walls of the busy underpass and has called for something to be done.

She said: "It's something that's very well used and and is the only way of crossing the very busy ring road.

"By making it as clean and welcoming as possible, it would encourage people to use it more often.

"Some of the graffiti may put some people off using it and it's a shame as it is a very good and safe means of getting across to Head- ington."

Risinghurst resident Jenny Spink, 68, said the subway had become disgusting and was a "poor reflection on the area".

Mrs Spink, of Stanway Road, said: "I use the subway nearly every day to get into Headington and it really does need something doing to it.

"The language used in the graffiti can only be described as offensive and there is constantly litter from the nearby Mc- Donald's."

Fellow Risinghurst resident Nigel Lloyd, 56, of Downside Road, added: "Compared to other estates around Oxford, Risinghurst is one of the best and has a good community spirit.

"It would be nice to see a little money invested around that area to make it a feature for people coming in on foot or bicycle."

The call to improve the subway has been supported by Barton and Churchill county councillor Roz Smith, who said that pedestrians had lost out to motorists.

She said: "Some days are worse than others and it's a shame a minority of people are spoiling it for everyone else. The county council has spent a lot of money making sure cars and traffic run smoothly through this area - it would be nice to see the same effort being made to improve the subways.

"What I would really like to see is some kind of community art project like that in Headington, with a lovely design.

"You could use anti-graffiti paint to stop the problem from happening again."

A spokesman for Oxford City Council said: "If members of the public see graffiti in public places they should report it to City Works on 01865 252900."