Detectives are continuing investigations into a string of armed robberies in Oxford and the surrounding area.

Two men are in custody in connection with nine armed raids over the past 10 weeks but there are a further eight gunpoint robberies since December police are still investigating separately.

These include robberies at Radio Taxis, in East Oxford, an Arriva bus in Wheatley, Oxford Tube bus in Headington, on a taxi driver in Northway, at Ladbrokes bookmakers, in Headington, and gunpoint robberies on motorists in Stanton St John and Summertown. The eighth robbery was an armed raid at Stanton St John village stores last month.

Jon Shirley, 23, is charged with robberies at Londis, in Wheatley, a BP petrol station in Marston, and houses in High Street, Beckley, and Ambleside Drive, in Headington, Oxford.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Oxford Crown Court on Monday.

Leigh Cooper, 27, of Banbury Road, Oxford, is charged with five armed robberies including two at Betfred bookmakers, Threshers off licence and Lloyds TSB bank, all in Headington, and a bus in Barton, and is remanded in custody to appear at Oxford Crown Court on March 16.

Anyone with information on the eight robberies should call police on 08458 505505.