Plans to give Bicester's Market Square a £250,000 facelift have been welcomed by both townsfolk and councillors.

Cherwell District Council wants to make the area more user-friendly and improve its appearance, a move that is "long overdue", according to one local resident, Wendy Jones.

Mrs Jones, of Maple Road, said something needed to be done to make the area look "pretty", rather than a "boring car park".

The district council, which has put aside the money for "environmental improvements" hopes to install a system of crossings, provide better footpaths and, although retaining the 35-space short-stay car park, improve its appearance.

Mrs Jones, 41, said: "The Market Square definitely needs a pedestrian crossing.

"To get to Barclays Bank, you take your life in to your hands. I am sure drivers do stick to the 30 mph speed limit, but that is too fast for this part of the town.

"You get vans and cars parked on pavements, which makes it hard for people with pushchairs or young children trying to cross the road safely.

"The town centre has many nice hanging baskets and tubs with floral arrangements, whereas the Market Square doesn't have any."

Keith Wadley, of Churchill Road, also backed the Market Square revamp.

The 55-year-old said: "Modernisation to the floor levels, roads, the car park and the pavements needs to be done.

"Pedestrian crossings would be very sensible. People have a lot of trouble crossing the road. They would also help to slow down the traffic."

Bicester Town Council's planning committee chairman, James Porter, said Cherwell District Council wanted to link the Market Square revamp with the redevelopment of the town centre.

Mr Porter said: "Although these are initial proposals, the town council welcomes them.

"There is no safe place to cross the road in the Market Square.

"Keeping people safe and upgrading the area is important.

"I am sure the people of Bicester will welcome a revamp. People have been talking about improving this part of the town for an awfully long time.

"And if the plans could be completed at the same time as the town centre redevelopment, this would minimise the disruption."

The proposed £70m town centre redevelopment would include a 950-seat six-screen cinema, 24 new shops cafes, bars, restaurants and a Sainsbury's store.

Work was due to start earlier this year, following Government approval in September last year, but has been delayed due to problems signing off a deal with Town Centre Retail - a partnership between local developer Stockdale Land and Sainsbury's.

A Cherwell District Council spokesman said: "The council has set aside £250,000 for environmental improvements to be made to Market Square - even though no definite proposals have been drawn up.

"The council will involve Oxfordshire County Council in any future plans, as they might be able to contribute additional funds."