THE sun shone as children in one Oxford community headed outside to reclaim their street.

Campbell Road in Cowley became the first place in the city on Wednesday to benefit from the Bristol-based Playing Out project.

The scheme helps residents organise temporary residential road closures for children to play outside after school.

They enjoyed juggling, painting on the road with chalk, getting wet under a sprinker and meeting neighbours.

Mum-of-two Su Frizzell, 43, said: “Everyone I’ve spoken to thinks this is great, they’re all playing on the road just like we did when we were kids.

“There’s different age groups playing together in the street and old people coming out to say hello.

“It’s better than them all just coming home from school and watching the TV anyway.”

Her eight-year-old daughter Amber, who was spraying other children with a sprinkler, said: “I’m really enjoying myself.”

Fellow resident Hugh Warwick, 45, said: “It’s great, it’s getting the kids out and making the street what it should be.

“It should be a place to play in, not just a place to park on.

“Everyone presumes it’s just for cars and not people and I’m not sure when it became like that.”

Parent Jane Gallagher, 44, said: “The kids are chuffed to bits. They were so excited but it’s more than that.

“The children are feeling like they own the street and are part of it and that’s the way it should be.

“I think we’ll be trying to do this a bit more in the future, maybe without having to close the street officially.”

The street was closed to through traffic from 3.30pm.

Residents drove their own cars on to the street guided by parents acting as stewards.

Mum-of-three Chrissy Gower said: “It’s a really great way to end the summer.”

Her son Thomas, five, said: “This is my first time playing on the street. I’m having lots of fun squirting people.”

Seven-year-old Esther Ezekiel added: “I’m enjoying being chased by all the boys.”

The project was founded last year by Bristol neighbours Alice Ferguson and Amy Rose.

Ms Ferguson said: “Because it’s the first time, it feels like a special event to all the residents and has got a real party atmosphere.

“But what we want to do is to make this a normal, everyday part of their lives.

“Kids should be able to play out on the streets and we want to help residents make this happen for themselves.”

To find out more about the project or to arrange a workshop call Ms Ferguson on 07896 957141 or visit playingout.net