South Today

This Christmas, food parcel organisations in our region say they're busier than ever.

In Rose Hill in Oxford, thousands of pounds worth of goods have been distributed over the past few days - with hundreds of parcels being given to those in need, as Stuart Tinworth reports. 

You've been letting us know what you think about the £3.7m that Oxfordshire's hospitals raised from parking charges in the past year.

Richard Hutt says, external: "Should use that cash and build a multi-story [car park] at the JR."

Kacee Wilson says, external: "You're not parking there for a fun day out, so it's ridiculous."

Rosy Reed says, external: "I think it's OK if it goes back into the trust and makes things better for patients."

Al Ryan
BBC Oxford travel presenter

Just over the border in Buckinghamshire, Oxford Road in Oakley is closed in both directions due to a large fire at a vehicle recycling centre at the Wominghall Road junction.

There is a lot of smoke in the area, which hasn't affected the nearby M40 yet, but it is possible.

You can keep up to date with the BBC Travel site.

BBC Radio Oxford

Disruption on the line to London Paddington for engineering works on the 27 and 28 December has been timed to have the least impact, Network Rail says.

Henley Standard

Henley Town Council is set to spend up to £631,000 on community projects next year, with the ruling Conservative group saying it is investing for the long term, external. But opponents have branded the budget "disastrous".

BBC Radio Oxford

The amount hospitals charge for parking needs to be monitored, according to an Oxfordshire-based health service watchdog.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust raised £3,728,000 in 2014/15.

Jacqueline Pearce Gervis from Patient Voice says the trust reflects local parking rates, which is worrying as Oxford has expensive charges throughout the city.

A hostel that has offered shelter to homeless people for 30 years will close in the new year.

Lucy Faithfull House, which has 61 beds and support services, will shut on 31 January.

Oxfordshire County Council reduced funding for homeless support by 38%, external, but says the beds will be provided elsewhere and they are working to move all current residents into alternative accommodation.

A Freedom of Information Act finds some hospital trusts in England are making more than £3m a year from car parking fees.

Many trusts defended their parking policy, saying some or all of the money was put back into patient care.

Let us know what you think on Facebook, external and Twitter, external.

Oxford Mail

Support for hunting, external is “as strong as ever” ahead of the scheduled Heythrop Hunt, according to the Countryside Alliance.  

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust made £3.7m from car parking charges in the past year, the second highest amount across the country.

The trust here says that, if it didn't charge, it would have to pay car park maintenance costs out of money used for patient care, and nearly 80% of the money was spent on costs of running the car park.

Al Ryan
BBC Oxford travel presenter

• On the trains, the 09:42 from Bicester North to London Marylebone has been cancelled

• It's busy on the Eastern Bypass in Oxford, from Cowley down to the Littlemore roundabout
• A set of temporary traffic lights are being installed at 09:30 in Watlington on the B480 at the junction with Barton Lane

You can get the latest where you are on the BBC Travel site.

Emily Wood
BBC Weather

A mixture of low cloud with bright spells this morning, with a strong wind featuring through the day.

By the end of the afternoon we will have a band of heavy, persistent rain and highs of 14C (57F).

You can get the latest forecast on the BBC Weather site.

Ross Heaton
BBC Oxford Sport

Oxfordshire's top sport stories this morning:

• Departing Oxford United chief executive Mark Ashton says he wants to continue working in football, but he remains a U's supporter
• There are two local games in the Southern League this evening, Banbury United are away at Taunton Town and Didcot host Swindon Supermarine

Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live

This morning's top stories in Oxfordshire:

• The county's hospitals collected more than £3.7m in parking charges in the past year
• Lucy Faithfull House, a hostel that has supported the homeless in Oxford for 30 years, is to close
• Rail engineering works on the line to London have been timed to effect the "least number of people", Network Rail says

Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live

Good morning and welcome to BBC Local Live for Oxfordshire this breezy Tuesday morning.

I'll be bringing you all the latest news, sport, travel and weather from across the county.

You can get in touch throughout the day and tell us what you're up to via email, Facebook, external or Twitter, external.