LONG before the days of fixmystreet.com, Oxford City Council came up with its own unique way to get to grips with city's pothole problem.

In May 1986 the authority encouraged cyclists plagued by the shake, rattle and roll of riding on Oxford's bumpy roads to 'Post-a-Pothole'.

Cyclists could use pre-paid postcards - distributed from council premises and bike shops - to let them know about potholes and other hazards.

Cycling officer Alan Diver said: "We quite often get people phoning up saying 'there's a pot hole which has been here for three weeks' and the answer is usually 'we didn't know'.

"We want to encourage people to let us know where these hazards are rather than let them go unrepaired."

He added: "It's a problem - there is no doubt about it. What for a car driver is a bump for a cyclist is a real hazard."