WEST Oxfordshire has been awarded four stars for cleanliness in the Clean Britain Awards 2008-9.

This is the second highest award out of a possible five stars, and was given after judges recognised the work being done by the district council to tackle littering, fly-tipping and graffiti.

Judges spent visited the district to assess it from the perspective of a visitor.

It was the first time West Oxfordshire District Council had entered the awards since they began in 1998.

Council leader Barry Norton said: “West Oxfordshire is a beautiful area and I believe that local authorities, residents and businesses here all share a commitment to keeping it at its best.

“It’s the first time we have entered, so we’re very pleased to receive a four-star rating on behalf of the whole district.

“The hard work and dedication that we all have to our environment has been recognised by this award and we will continue to strive to ensure that our district remains clean and tidy and an attractive place in which to live, work and to visit.”

Other things assessed by judges were the district’s management of its waste bins, street signs and the cleanliness of public toilets.

Special mention was made by the judges of the council’s co-operation with town and parish councils, Neighbourhood Action Groups, businesses and residents.

Witney Town Council has worked closely with the district council.

Mayor Alvin Adams, said: “We’re very pleased the district has received this rating.

“Much work has been done in the town to tackle issues such as litter, including the recent new arrival of extra litter bins and dog waste bins.”