THOUSANDS of people in Oxford are living in some of the most deprived areas in the country.

Ten areas of the city are ranked among the country’s 20 per cent most deprived areas, with high levels of poor education and skills, child poverty and crime.

Neighbourhoods in Blackbird and Greater Leys, Rose Hill, Barton, Littlemore and Sandhills are all included.

In contrast, the Oxford City Council figures show 18 communities in the city are among the 20 per cent of most affluent areas in Britain.

Last night campaigners called for greater equality across the city.

Laura Wilson, who is deputy manager of the Agnes Smith Advice Centre, in Blackbird Leys Road, which helps people with financial concerns, said: “There is a real inequality in Oxford.

“People are living in poverty in Blackbird Leys and yet many in other parts of the city are wealthy.

“We deal with so many people who are facing real financial hardships. Blackbird Leys has been hit especially hard by the recession.

“Other people get into a cycle of debt which is very hard to get out of, and that is especially true of people who grow up in deprived areas. Something has to be done to redress the balance.”

Sue Holden, secretary of the Barton Community Association, said the estate needed help.

She said: “We are doing so much as a community to get out of the bottom ranking.

“We are looking to attack the low rates of education among both adults and children and we want to launch a homework club.

“But we can’t do this on our own and need more help than we are getting.

“You would think that the powers-that-be would be desperate to help, given how committed and enthusiastic people living here are to moving the estate forward.

“The people at the top really should recognise this.”

Peter Wilkinson is chairman of the Rose Hill Tenants’ and Residents’ Association.

He said: “Of course there’s a disparity in Oxford.

“Rose Hill has been known as the forgotten estate for some time and much more needs to be done to make living standards around the city more equal and fair.”

lsloan@oxfordmail.co.uk