A BLUEPRINT shaping recreation and leisure activities in north Oxfordshire for the next five years has been launched.

Cherwell's District Council's new recreation strategy highlights healthier lifestyles and opportunities for young people as two of its key objectives.

It also lists more and better facilities, community wellbeing, volunteering, community planning and information among its top priorities up to 2012.

George Reynolds, Cherwell's executive member for recreation and health, said: "Everyone who attended the launch wants to make Cherwell a better place, where recreation is central to people's lives and where opportunities for participation embrace the heritage of the area, celebrate local tradition and foster a modern healthy lifestyle.

"The council is coordinating the strategy, but providing better recreation for the people of Cherwell will come from many organisations."

Steeple Aston was picked to host the launch, which featured artwork and a video by local youngsters, because of its new recreation facilities.

Parish council vice-chairman Richard Preston said: "We are a rural, isolated village, eight to 10 miles from any major facilities. So we have had to provide these ourselves.

"Each development has required substantial amounts of money - our current project of a multi-games area, BMX track and seating will cost £70,000, while three years ago we invested £350,000 in improvements to our sports field and restoring a redundant building to use as shower and changing rooms.

"CDC has helped in many ways - from supporting us with our first play area project 13 years ago to providing seed funding that has allowed us to access other sources of funds. When a community comes together with the council and other agencies, anything is possible."