A bus company boss has welcomed the idea of using one of Oxford's park-and-rides to ferry passengers into Kidlington in a bid to reduce parking problems in the village.

Discussions between Kidlington Parish Council and Oxford Bus Company look set to take place after villagers expressed their frustration with congestion in the village's recently-published Healthcheck.

Council chairman Chris Pack told the Oxford Mail he believed a 'reverse' park-and-ride from Water Eaton, south of the village, would be welcomed by both commuters and local residents.

"We have a lot of pressure on parking in Kidlington and a 'reverse' park-and-ride would free up spaces for office workers who find it extremely difficult," he said.

"It would help quite a bit and I do not think it would be expensive. There are quite a lot of people who need their car during the day but there are an equal number of people who do not and they could easily hop on a bus."

He said the parish council had already raised the suggestion with both district and county councils. One possible route would take commuters along the Oxford/Banbury Road north through Kidlington, west along Langford Lane, where there are particular problems with parking, then south on the A44 through Yarnton.

Oxford Bus Company director Louisa Weeks said she would be delighted to talk to Kidlington Parish Council about its ideas.

"We've already noticed people are using Water Eaton as a park-and-ride for Kidlington," she added.

"By walking the short distance from the car park to the main road they are able to take advantage of the City2 bus route."