RESIDENTS plan to spruce up their subway with a lick of paint.

The subway runs under Marston Ferry Road, connecting Old Marston to the Marston estate, in Oxford, but it has been hit by vandalism and graffiti.

Now Friends of Old Marston Play Areas hope to make the subway a more attractive place by giving it a revamp.

The plans have been approved by Old Marston Parish Council.

Parish councillor Duncan Hatfield, who is also part of Friends of Old Marston Play Areas, said: “I would definitely like to see it being repainted. I would even get involved myself.

“It just doesn’t put the area in the most positive light, but it has to be something that lasts as well.”

This is not the first time Old Marston residents have tried to repaint their subway.

A similar idea was put forward in 2008 to brighten up the subway but was not acted on.

Mr Hatfield said: “The apathy was quite disappointing.

“Maybe we will have more luck this time.”

One of the ideas for repainting the subway, which was brought up at a meeting of Old Marston Parish Council this week, would include painting a series of balloons or bricks where people could paint their names.

Old Marston councillors have agreed to put funds towards it.

Chairman Charlie Haynes hopes to get it painted by next May.

The parish council will be applying for funding assistance from both the city and county councils.

He said: “It has been painted on and off for the past 20 years, but every time it gets painted it then gets covered in graffiti.”