Oxford's Lord Mayor should get a 'green' car instead of a new BMW.

The call came from Green city councillor Craig Simmons, who said the Lord Mayor's car should set a good example by reducing harmful vehicle emissions - and getting on his bike whenever possible.

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In April, John Goddard, the leader of the council's Liberal Democrats, called for the Lord Mayor's Rover 75 to be traded in for a new Mini, as a show of support for BMW's Cowley car factory.

But the then Lord Mayor Pat Stannard said a Cowley-built Mini would not be big enough.

Now the council's executive has hit on a compromise and on Monday members are being advised to agree that the new limousine should be a BMW 520iSE saloon, costing £21,800.

But Mr Simmons, now a member of the executive, disagrees and is proposing the purchase of a Toyota Prius for £17,545, which can run on liquid petroleum gas, producing fewer exhaust emissions, with the savings being spent on a bus pass and bicycle for the Lord Mayor to use when the car is not needed.

Mr Simmons said: "The Toyota Prius emissions are much lower than those of the BMW, running costs are lower and purchase price is lower.

"It is therefore proposed that for environmental and cost reasons the executive board approves the purchase of a Toyota Prius, with the portion of the resulting savings to be spent on a bus pass and bicycle for the Mayor, to be used at their discretion when a car is not needed."

The leasing arrangement for the Lord Mayor's Rover 75 is coming to an end after four years and council leaders want to make the switch to the BMW because of its local links.