Businesses in Bicester are being encouraged to have their say about the impact the proposed Weston Otmoor eco-town would have on them.

Several have already voiced concerns about the 15,000-home eco-town at Weston-on-the-Green, saying it would be a drain on the local jobs market.

And an independent report is being produced about the possible effects of having a new town - bigger than Bicester - built just three miles away.

The South East England Development Agency (Seeda) has commissioned consultancy Arup to look at the possible positive and negative social and economic effects the new town would have on Bicester.

An invitation-only meeting for businesses will be on Saturday, August 30, at the Littlebury Hotel in King's End, Bicester.

The town's Vision Partnership is keen to collect opinions from as many local businesses as possible ahead of the meeting.

Bicester Vision's Rachel Faulkner said: "The proposals could present some real problems for the town.

"We are delighted that this research is being done and hope that local businesses who have concerns will make their feelings known."

Parkridge, the firm behind the plan to build the new town on 800 acres of land near the A34/M40 junction, has finished its consultation inviting people in the area to have their say.

Weston Otmoor is one of 15 sites across the country being promoted as a potential eco-town.

The Government is to reduce its list to 10 by October.

To have a say on the plans, log on at www.bicestervision.co.uk