Witney's MP is to be asked to help a new campaign to rid one of Oxfordshire's top tourist towns of heavy lorries.

Burford Town Council aims to bring David Cameron on board in a fresh attempt to get an advisory route avoiding the town, known as the "Gateway to the Cotswolds".

Campaigners say the town is suffering from pollution and noise, with the tourist trade under threat.

The main campaigners are the independent Burford traffic Group, which has now accepted that a bypass will not be built. Spokesman Gill Edmunds said: "Burford started to try for a bypass nearly 50 years ago, but that now seems environmentally unacceptable.

"But the town is now like a London street. We have to keep the pressure up, or we will still be in the same position 50 years from now.

Mrs Edmunds said: "Burford is one of the most beautiful and historic towns in the country. It is a treasure for everyone, not just us.

"Americans who visit are appalled by the traffic."

Previous attempts have been made to divert heavy lorries from using the A424 and A361 main roads linking the Midlands with the South, but no progress has been made.

The issue came up again recently at a meeting of the town council's traffic advisory committee.

Mr Cameron has been invited to meet the traffic group and councillors at a meeting next month.

Campaigners are insisting that an advisory route avoiding the town should be in place within the county's Traffic Plan by 2007.