CLAIMS an estate is divided have been dismissed by residents who say everyone should feel like they are part of Blackbird Leys.

This week the parish council agreed to look at changing its name in order to be more representative of Greater Leys as well, sparking a debate about the estate's identity.

It comes as some residents complained that services and events are too focussed on the Blackbird Leys part of the estate.

The estate is officially split into two wards - Blackbird Leys and Northfield Brook - by Oxford City Council but within the parish it is divided between the Blackbird and Greater Leys parts.

Parish chairman John Dillon said he didn't think there was a divide but that the council were now looking at alternating venues for its meetings to reach out to under-represented areas.

It is currently assessing the financial impact of a name-change with Leys Community Council and Blackbird and Greater Leys Parish Council among the names being suggested.

Mr Dillon said: "Given the amount going on and all the facilities we have, I feel we live on one of the best estates in Oxfordshire.

"There are so many people working to better the area and help people out.

"We should all feel united under the same banner and part of the same estate.

"In my opinion, the whole thing is Blackbird Leys.

"Thankfully people's first reaction when they hear the name is no longer 'oh my god'.

"It should be known as a great area to live in - I certainly enjoy it."

A poll on the Oxford Mail website saw a quarter of readers back a name-change, agreeing it would make the council more representative of the whole estate.

But more than 40 per cent said the name should stay, with those voters believing 'it's all Blackbird Leys'.

Some 20 per cent said they didn't care what the name is and less than 10 per cent agreed a name change would help others know it exists.

Long-term resident Brian Lester, 72, who has lived on the estate since the 1960s said he thought it was a 'waste of time'.

He added: "If people don't know the parish council is for them then they should look at their council tax bill - it's clearly written on there.

"Greater Leys gets a lot of support and there is a lot going on, it's people's own fault if they don't know it.

"They would have to change everything and they have not got the money to do that."

He added: "We have always had a strong identity as a place, despite all the negative coverage.

"Whenever the name is mentioned, we get comments straight away from people who don't know the area."

Jacqui Halliday, 58, who has lived in Greater Leys since it was built 25 years ago said her post code has changed three times in that time and at one point was classified as part of 'lower Garsington.'

She said: "I think we are all one estate really.

"You have to define yourself as being from Greater Leys but only so people can find you.

"I already feel like we have got quite a lot going on in this part of the estate.

"I think if it was called the Leys Parish Council, it would make a small difference and help you feel a bit more part of it.

"But I don't feel I know a great deal about what the council does in general."