The £250,000 vision of an overhauled Market Place in Abingdon is a little closer.

Abingdon Town Council is pushing ahead with a major refurbishment of the historic market place, with building hoped to start next spring.

The project is expected to cost more than £250,000. The town council has set aside £108,000 and that will be matched by the Vale of White Horse District Council.

Oxfordshire County Council will also make a contribution.

It is hoped the final plans and technical details will be settled later this year.

Under a new-look Market Place the surface setts - small dark grey granite paving blocks - will be retained.

The range of steps opposite County Hall will be removed and bollards erected to prevent traffic entering the square.

This work will be paid for by the county council, as will improvements to the service road to the car park.

There will be new seating, a raised flower bed near where the noticeboard is sited and an improved paving area opposite the museum and the service road near the bank.

The project is scheduled to link in with construction of the new-look Stert Street, and High Street improvements under the town's transport strategy known as Abits.

Reports last year described the Market Place as looking "tired and tatty".

The town council came up with three schemes, and opted for the most expensive.

Council leader Alison Rooke said: "This is an exciting project for Abingdon.

"We have a beautiful market place and County Hall which are the jewels in the town's crown.

"A sympathetic refurbishment of the square will add to the appeal."

The council has set up a working party of Mrs Rooke, the mayor Peter Green, Julie Mayhew-Archer and Conservative opposition leader Mike Badcock to examine the final draft.

The working party will bring the recommended scheme to a special meeting of the council later this year.

While supporting an improvement, Mr Badcock said the Conservatives thought that a less expensive scheme would be sufficient.

He said: "The Market Place needs improving but not such a costly project.

"It is being made to look pretty but with little concern for the working environment."

The district council is supporting the scheme as part of its Rural Towns Initiative.

Two years ago, Faringdon Market Place underwent a major transformation, which has been well received.

Both the town and district council believe an improved Abingdon Market Place will also benefit the town centre.