A LONG-TERM plan to improve Banbury's open spaces began this week with the removal of grafitti in People's Park.

Banbury Town Council, in conjunction with Cherwell District Council, has launched a ten-to-15-year plan which will see the complete refurbishment of the town's green areas.

The flagship People's Park is the pilot project.

Over the next five years, a £100,000 make-over will see a new children's playground, repairs to the tennis courts, and bigger and better flower beds.

The plan will also include new signage, up-dated park furniture, and landscaping.

Plans are going ahead to get members of the public involved.

A public meeting is to be held in early March at which residents and park users will be invited to form an action group which will play an active role in the improvement project.

Ian Brearley, the town council's recreation and amenities manager, said: "We are trying to encourage the local community to take a pride in their park. The action group will make sure the refurbishment plan is implemented, and will suggest other improvements.

"The £100,000 is developer contributions agreed as part of builders' planning conditions, and we will be looking at other possible grants including lottery funding.

"After People's Park, the intention is to roll out the programme over all the other parks and open spaces.

"We envisage it taking ten to 15 years to get the job done, but if we want parks to be proud of, we have to undertake the work."

On Tuesday, Banbury's street wardens, employed by CDC, joined the town council's park rangers in washing grafitti off the walls of The Leys - the entrance to People's Park from Horsefair.

Mr Brearley said: "It is an example of councils working together to make Banbury a better place."