EFFORTS to help keep Britain tidy came from the introduction of the mechanical sweeper from John Allen and Sons in Cowley.
The firm had launched the new sweeper which could clean a factory floor or a railway station platform in a few minutes.
It was used not only at Oxford station, but also at almost all the main-line station in London.
In 1958 the firm decided to expand its reach but offering up the sweeper to a wider customer base.
Before this, the machine was only used for industrial uses but as pictured here they experimented by using it on pavements in Kidlington.
The hope being that more local authorities would be inclined to invest.
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