Oxford Times

The city council is facing huge losses after a surge in successful appeals, external against overpaid business rates by local companies.  

Oxford United boss Michael Appleton has said he's content with a draw against Carlisle at the weekend.

He said: "It's been a tough week for us... to take a point in the third game in six says I've got to be reasonably happy."

Striker Alex MacDonald also welcomed the result, which was a point gained rather than two lost, he said.

Banbury Guardian

The sounds of Christmas echoed around a packed Banbury Town Hall, external on Saturday, as more than 100 people sang carols, listened to festive music, ate mince pies and drank mulled wine.

BBC Radio Oxford

The new manager of an Oxford guest house once used by a grooming gang to abuse young girls says he would sign up to a voluntary code of conduct if it's introduced.  

Abuse at the Nanford Guest House, now called the Cherwell Guest House was highlighted in the Bullfinch case, and new manager Cristian Olteanu says the new rules should be welcomed.

Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live

Oxfordshire's top stories this afternoon include:

• A permanent solution to keep pedestrians safe from traffic on an Islip bridge is needed, campaigners say
• A voluntary code of conduct could be introduced by Oxford City Council to stop guest houses being used for sexual abuse by gangs
• A drug abandoned as a treatment for strokes could be used to help treat bipolar disorder, Oxford scientists say

BBC Radio Oxford

BBC Radio Oxford's countdown to Christmas continues with carols from the choir at Gateway Primary School in Carterton.

The children sing The Sans Day Carol and Happiest Time Of The Year.

You can listen back to all the carols in this year's countdown here.

Henley Standard

A new gym run by former model and TV personality Calum Best will open near Henley this month, external.  

BBC Radio Oxford

Road safety has dramatically improved in Islip since temporary traffic lights were installed, according to villagers who now want them to be made permanent. 

Image source, Google

The lights were installed to manage traffic while roadworks at the Cutteslowe and Wolvercote roundabouts in Oxford were carried out.  However, the county council says there are no plans or funding to install permanent ones.

Resident Dee Nutts says: "If the council don't want to leave lights on the bridge then they have to come up with something. There is a problem on this bridge and something has to be done."

Bethan Phillips
BBC Radio Oxford

Oxford City Council has called for a code of conduct, external to be introduced for Oxford's guest houses to try and prevent abuse. Here's the key thoughts:

• A voluntary code of good practice with oversight from the council
• Better checks on guests identity if paying by cash
• Recording vehicle licence numbers of guests
• Requiring visitors to register at reception
• CCTV footage to be held for 28 days
• Daily room check

Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live

This golden sunset lit up the skies above Abingdon this weekend - as photographed by Becca Collacott.

Image source, Becca Collacott

If you have a picture from around the county that you would like to see on Local Live, please do send it in. We'll feature as many as we can.

Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live

Today's top stories on Local Live:

• A voluntary code of conduct could be introduced to help prevent gangs using guest houses in Oxford to carry out sex abuse
• Road safety has improved in Islip since temporary traffic lights were installed, villagers say
• Power has been returned to the majority of properties in Chalgrove after a cut this morning

Local authority social services in England that are found to be failing vulnerable children will face tough new measures, the PM is to announce.  

Image source, Science Photo Library

Councils' failings have been exposed by a series of recent child abuse cases in Rochdale, Rotherham, Derby and Oxfordshire.

Under the plans, departments judged inadequate by Ofsted will have six months to improve or be taken over by high-performing councils and charities.  

Oxford Mail

A former director of Oxford City Football Club is facing criminal and civil charges over his alleged role in a $6.6m investment fraud, external.  

Lucy Bickerton
BBC Radio Oxford

A drug destined for the scrapheap has been "rescued" by scientists in Oxford as a possible treatment for bipolar disorder, external.

Ebselen was being developed for stroke patients but was abandoned in clinical trials.

Now researchers think it could be a better alternative to Lithium, which is normally used for bipolar disorder. 

Roz Tappenden
BBC South

The streets of Oxford were awash with red yesterday as 2,200 people took part in the city's annual Santa fun run.

Santas on the Run began in Broad Street with 45 of santa's helpers dressed as elves to ensure the event went well.

The two-mile sponsored run - in its ninth year - was in support of Helen & Douglas House hospice in Oxford.

BBC Radio Oxford

Councils need more powers to prevent sex abuse being carried out in guest houses, according to a new report, external put together by a group at Oxford City Council.

Image source, PA

It comes in response to the Bullfinch case - where a number of Oxford's guest houses were used by a grooming gang to carry out abuse on young girls.

Councillor Van Coulter, who runs the Guest Houses Review Group, says: "Where you've got guest houses being used for criminal activities that harm young people, surely there should be some ability for councils to intervene."

Ross Heaton
BBC Oxford Sport

This morning's top sports stories include:

• Oxford City's American president Thomas Guerriero has quit the club citing ill health 
• City are in the draw for the second round of the FA Trophy this lunchtime after overcoming Ebbsfleet this weekend
• Michael Appleton says U's fans have plenty to be happy about, despite falling off top spot in League Two

Danny Cox
Presenter, BBC Radio Oxford

• The traffic lights on the A40 in Cassington have failed
• It's looking busy on the A34 northbound around Hinksey Hill
• The Wendlebury Interchange at junction nine of the M40 is slow going

Find out more and get the latest updates on the BBC Travel site.