A SCHEME encouraging the public to send in pictures of Oxford's graffiti-riddled areas has been extended after proving a massive success.

Digital snaps of some of the worst graffiti vandalism are being sent to Oxford City Council's special online reporting team at a rate of three every day since it was launched last month.

And last night, graffiti taggers were said to be on the back foot after the tally of pictures topped 100.

Because the authority has been inundated with pictures, council chiefs have decided to continue the scheme for a further three months.

The trial was only meant to run for a month but the public has taken to it with gusto.

It will now continue until at least February.

Pictures are posted on the city council's website, with the public able to see how long it takes for graffiti-busters to clean up the mess.

The worst offending graffiti is removed within 24 hours.

Shirley Browne, 60, of Banbury Road, North Oxford, was one of the first to make use of the scheme - and last night encouraged others to "reclaim the streets".

She said: "People find graffiti extremely annoying. It gives the wrong impression of an area.

"Like litter dropping, it is done by a minority of people - and it certainly makes a difference. People are proud of where they live and these people are ruining it for everyone - it's great the scheme is being extended."

According to the city council, one of the most graffiti-riddled areas in Oxford is the Marston Ferry Road underpass.

This month alone, almost 650 square metres of graffiti in 78 different locations have been cleaned.

City council graffiti-buster Malcolm Baughan said: "What we are doing now is attacking the areas the public want us to target as opposed to one highlighted by inspections.

"This is instant.

"The public tell us areas they don't like and we turn up and remove it. It happens very quickly.

"The taggers are on the back foot. They operate like ghosts in the night, but we have them in our sights.

"It's a costly exercise - but definitely worth it."

The graffiti reporting scheme forms part of the city council's get-tough approach to public nuisances.

The authority has urged the public to make use of online technology and get in touch if they spot environmental menaces like fly-tipping, needles, dog fouling and dead animals, using the "report it" section on its website.

City councillor Jean Fooks, executive member for a cleaner city, said: "Photo-reporting helps residents to report any problems they see and enables them to check on the action taken by the council.

"I encourage all residents to take out their digital cameras and send us pictures."