Businesses in Oxfordshire are teaming up with motor racing boss Jackie Stewart in a new drive to combat business crime and improve community safety, writes David Duffy.

The three times Formula One world champion is backing the Thames Valley Police Community Safety Trust, a one-stop funding shop for projects aimed at improving safety and security in the Thames Valley region.

The Trust has already generated almost 300,000 from the Thames Valley Police Authority and local businesses have been keen to get involved, such as Oxford car parts firm Unipart, Milton Park industrial park, near Abingdon, British Gas in Reading and Microsoft in Newbury.

Patrick Fitz-Gibbon, Unipart's head of communications, said: "We have very strong links with the local area, as a major local employer, and this is an ideal way to extend those links, benefit worthy local projects and improve the safety and security of our staff, our company and the wider community."

Projects which will benefit range from consulting young people on the types of leisure facilities which they feel is needed, to providing motor mechanics courses.

The work of the Trust will be outlined at two special events, hosted by Jackie Stewart, and has extended an open invitation to local businesses to attend.

The first is a business lunch at Silverstone Racing Circuit, on October 31 starting at midday with a reception in the British Racing Driver's Club, with an optional tour of the circuit at 11am, at an all-inclusive cost of 25 per head. The second is an evening reception at The Orangery, Blenheim Palace, on November 29, at a cost of 37 per head.

Places can be reserved at either event by contacting Rachel Keats at Thames Valley Police Community Safety Trust on 01869 363910.