A NEW A 4.5m police helicopter will serve Oxfordshire from August next year. It will replace the existing Chiltern Air Support Unit helcopter, based at RAF Benson, which completed 10,000 flying hours last month after entering service with Thames Valley Police in April 1999.

AN alcoholic has been banned from a series of roads after threatening and intimidating people.

A 25-year-old man has been charged with burglary, handling stolen goods and fraud by false representation, following two raids on properties in Kidlington.

THREE robbers stole cash from a shop in Kidlington. Police are appealing for witnesses after the men walked into the Co-op, in Banbury Road, at 9.50pm on Sunday.

RESIDENTS have stopped more than 57 tonnes of food waste going into landfill as part of a new recycling scheme - " and that's just the start.

Not much romantic decay left in Oxfordshire these days. What with spiralling house prices during the past decade, and bankers with bonuses burning holes in their pockets still favouring the county even now, there is hardly a dcecent ruin to be found anywhere; they've nearly all become bijou residences for better or for worse .

Thousands of fish in north Oxfordshire will be given their very own "swimming pool" this winter.

ABOUT 20 firefighters tackled a blaze at a grain silo near Kidlington shortly before midnight last night.

CHILDREN in Oxfordshire are set to benefit from a A 2m investment in nurseries and pre-schools. Oxfordshire County Council has agreed to hand over the money for building projects at 17 centres.

VANDALS who caused an estimated A 4,000 of damage by covering two cars in paint and eggs have been branded a oemindlessa .

EMERGENCY crime updates and safety messages are being beamed via a series of TV screens in shops, surgeries and cafes.

THE mother of a soldier killed in Afghanistan today paid an emotional tribute to Bampton residents for their a oelove and supporta as wreaths were laid at the war memorial which now bears her sona s name.

IF YOU see large numbers of men walking around with strange-shaped facial hair this month, don't panic.

People from across Oxfordshire will pay their respects to Britaina TMs war dead at Remembrance Day services across the county this Sunday.

Patricia Harris, 57, of Cowley Road, Oxford, admitted driving without insurance on March 18 in Thames Street, Oxford.

LASER louts have struck again - " targeting two planes in the skies above Oxfordshire.

A STRIKING 6ft tall Poppy Man has been deployed in Oxfordshire to encourage people to support ex-servicemen and women.

RAIL passengers from Bicester and Banbury could see up to 10 minutes cut off their journeys to London or Birmingham.

A BOOK setting down memories of a childhood in Oxford in the 1920s is being published for the second time.

VLADIMEER, Carfax and and Scooby - " these are just some of names suggested for the three baby meerkats adopted by the Oxford Mail.