SANDWICHES at the County Hall cafe will continue to come from London unless a local provider can match the quality and price, Oxfordshire County Council said.

The Oxford Mail reported in January that the council’s cafe was selling sandwiches made more than 50 miles away, despite pledging to support Oxford traders and cut carbon emissions.

About 120 sandwiches come from London catering firm Greencore in three deliveries of 40 packs a week. They used to be made by staff in the Common Hall Cafe until last year.

But the council said staff prepare up to 200 salads and 100 baguettes each week and do not have time to make sandwiches.

Deputy leader David Robertson last night said the council would prefer to use a local supplier.

But he added: “We have been trying to find local providers and it has proved difficult.

“We will stick with Greencore unless someone else comes to us and says they can match the quality and the price and can deliver them in a refrigerator.”

Council spokesman Gemma Watts added: “The current supplier makes several deliveries to customers in Oxfordshire. It is not as if a special journey is made just to the council.”