Oxfordshire weekly round-up: 2 October- 8 October 2023

A gas explosion caused by a lightning strike was among our read stories this week in Oxfordshire.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Oxford and South Today.

We have picked five stories to keep you up to date.

Explosion at recycling plant after lightning strike

Daylight revealed the damage caused to the three units at the recycling plant

Lightning hit a gas tank at the Severn Trent Green Power site in Cassington on Monday night.

The resulting explosion saw a fireball that could be seen from miles around.

The blaze was contained without any injuries.

Twelve dogs among animals found in derelict flat

The RSPCA safely removed all the animals for health checks and rehoming

Twelve dogs were among a group of animals saved from an abandoned council flat.

A rabbit and a lizard were also rescued from the property in an operation led by Oxford City Council.

Police are investigating.

Mental health support football club in man's memory

Amateur footballer Daniel Johnson died in October 2021

The family and teammates of an amateur footballer who took his own life have set up a football club where men can talk openly about mental health.

Daniel Johnson from Eynsham, Oxfordshire, died in October 2021 at the age of 26.

Football in Mind, which was created in his memory, provides counsellors and avenues to players for services in the local area.

Wildlife trust launches 'nature recovery' appeal

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust said hedgehogs were among the species "disappearing fast"

A wildlife trust has launched an appeal to raise £3m over the next three years.

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) said it hoped its Nature Recovery Fund would "help bring wildlife back".

The trust said wildlife in the three counties was "disappearing fast."

Gonorrhoea rise prompts university screening boost

In 2022, gonorrhoea diagnoses in the UK were the highest on record

A university is expanding access to sexually transmitted infection tests, following record levels of gonorrhoea nationwide.

Oxford Brookes University will provide on-campus screening with clinicians each semester in this academic year.

Students are advised to use condoms and get a free test before having sex with a new partner.