THE risk from potentially-deadly radon gas across the whole of Oxfordshire is revealed today by the Oxford Mail.

This map shows the areas where dangerously high levels of the cancer-causing gas are found.

Yesterday we reported that the Health Protection Agency was targeting homes in West Oxfordshire in a bid to cut exposure to radioactive radon, which is linked to cases of lung cancer.

Properties in Chipping Norton, Enstone and Charlbury are thought most at risk.

The first letters inviting residents to apply for free radon level tests in their homes were delivered yesterday.

The map published today shows parts of the Cherwell district, including areas south and west of Banbury, are also at risk.

West Oxfordshire residents said they were not too concerned, but would like more information.

Roz Wiley, the chairman of Rollright Parish Council, said: “I’m not going to worry about it. I have smoked all my life and I haven’t died yet.”

Rob McGriger, 46, of Radford, near Enstone, said: “My house has got so many cracks in it, I would be surprised if radon could not escape.

“If someone comes and proves to me it’s anything worse than anything else that is in our environment, maybe I will take some notice.”

He said he had no plans to make alterations to his home.

Neil Percival, 74, of Cleveley Road, Enstone, said: “It’s not something I would ignore but I’m a bit sceptical.

“I wouldn’t make any changes to my home without seeing a lot of research.”

Radon occurs naturally all over the UK, and cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, but experts believe it leads to 1,000 lung cancer deaths a year Britain, including 12 in Oxfordshire.

The high radon levels in the county are due to the presence of Cotswold stone, a type of limestone, which allows the gas to seep to the surface of the Earth more easily.

So far, 820 homes in West Oxfordshire have been tested and 42 were found to be above the level where householders should take action.

Now the HPA has started writing to 9,000 homes in the district to offer free tests to concerned residents.

Marilyn Ivings, 73, of Church Enstone, said her daughter Wendy, who lives in Devon, another area affected by radon, had readings of more. than 7,000 becquerels per metre cubed of air in her home The HPA recommends householders should take action when readings are more than 200 Bq m3.

Mrs Ivings added: “My daughter hasn’t had anything to worry about so far, and they have been in there for 20 years.”

Radon testing involves placing two circular plastic detectors in a house for three months. The HPA then notes the levels, and if they are high, householders will be advised to cut them.

A sump can be fitted under homes to pump out the gas.

Advice sessions are now being planned in the county.

Barry Palmer, 69, of Cleveley Road, Enstone, said: “If we found the readings were exceedingly high in our property we would have to consider make changes. It would be natural for us to do something.”

For more information, see ukradon.org