TWO sports pitches will be brought into greater use when they come under the management of Banbury Town Council, bosses say.

Hanwell Fields sports ground is to be given to the authority by developer Taylor Wimpey, which has built more than 1,000 homes nearby.

And pitches at the former Cattle Market will be handed over once work is completed by Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes.

The town council has put cash aside for maintenance of the Hanwell Fields site, to the north of the town.

It is currently taking details of residents interested in hiring its two football pitches and cricket pitch.

Nicholas Turner, a town council member for Hardwick, said: “I welcome the news that the council has taken control of the playing field.

“It will be a fantastic facility for people who live in that part of Banbury, and there is a junior team from the estate who are looking forward to playing there.”

Hanwell Fields and the Cattle Market, near the train station, are among sites identified by Cherwell District Council for housing.

Recently, the council has expressed fears over countryside housing plans to make up for a shortfall in other suitable housing sites.

Permission is in place for almost 1,100 homes at Bankside.