YOUNG people in Blackbird Leys have praised green spaces and transport facilities, but called for more action on littering and safety at night.

In a second round of Oxford City Council's ongoing Youth Appreciative Inquiry (AI) in the area, a group of 17 teens from the Oxford Academy met to share their views.

Feedback from the session on March 10 has now been released and will be used to inform the actions of a forthcoming Youth Forum in the Leys.

Participants aged 13 to 17 noted "plenty of green fields and public spaces", a "great Leisure centre" and "excellent" bus route towards the city centre.

One group member wrote "The elderly are nice", with another adding "A lot of things are at the Leys which attract people to the community. Very diverse community".

At the session students, who all hailed from the Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys area, were also asked to give ways life on the estate could be improved.

Several group members asked for sheltered areas to hang out in during winter and in the evenings, with one participant writing: "Do not feel safe when it is dark."

The group also said there were "Too many people living in houses and flats... crammed into small areas" and problems with littering and people drinking in public spaces.

Ideas put forward by young people in the Leys will be put into action by the Youth Forum, which is due to meet for the first time in the next few weeks.