Oxfordshire County Council has announced it will be using WhatsApp for specific travel updates from tomorrow (Friday, April 10).

OxonTravel is used by the county council to provide daily travel updates, including road closures and traffic collisions.

In January, it announced it will stop using X, formerly known as Twitter, over concerns about the rise in hate speech and abuse towards women and girls.

Numerous other public bodies in Oxfordshire have also decided to leave the site.

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As part of its phased approach, the county council will leave X entirely by Friday, April 17.

It will use other social media channels and its website to keep people informed and engaged. This includes, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Nextdoor, Blue Sky, WhatsApp and Youtube.

Ofcom’s investigation into the AI-chatbot Grok to create and share sexualised images of children is ongoing.

Liz Leffman. (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Liz Leffman, county council leader, said she welcomed Ofcom’s decision to investigate the site under the Online Safety Act in a meeting last December.

The county council said: “Public bodies have a responsibility to stand up against hate and abuse, particularly when it targets women and girls.

“Where platforms fail to provide a safe and respectful space for communities, we must make clear and principled choices about how we communicate.”

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have removed their profiles.

Cherwell District Council has kept its profile to avoid imitation but it has stopped posting.

An application has been submitted to Cherwell District Council, the planning authority, to change the use of a three-bedroom detached dwelling in Kingsclere Road to an eight-bed with ensuite HMO.

The current home, which is thought to have been constructed in around the 1960s as a private house, currently has two off street parking spaces, two reception rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom.

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To accommodate the increase of bedrooms, an existing single storey flat roofed garage to the side of the property is planned to be demolished.

In its place will be a new part single storey and part two storey extension to the side and rear of the property.

Ground floor plan of the newly proposed 8-bedroom HMO in Bicester (Image: JMD Architects)

This will partly house the new rooms, which all measure more than 14m square excluding the ensuite, and an open plan communal kitchen, dining and living room, measuring around 28m square.

There is also provision for 10 covered Sheffield type bicycle stands to the rear of the property.

First floor plan of the newly proposed 8-bedroom HMO in Bicester (Image: JMD Arcjotects)

In the design and access statement, submitted by JMD Architects on behalf of the applicant, it said there is a “real need for quality rooms with ensuites in shared houses for younger single professionals who are working in the own and beyond and are unable to afford the rent for larger flats and houses.”

The planning authority has until May 26 to make a decision.

Cartesien, owned by Geri Horner and her husband, former racing driver Christian Horner, will compete in the Edgcote Gold Cup Mixed Open at the Bicester with Whaddon Chase Hunt Point-to-Point on April 12.

The race takes place at Edgcote Racecourse, near Banbury.

Maxine Filby, who trains Cartesien from the Horners’ stables at Marston St Lawrence, said: “We decided to run him at Edgcote as it is so local. They did a really good job with the ground last year.

“We still don’t know what we have got. He could have been flattered at Guilsborough.

“I would be thrilled if he runs a good race and comes back in one piece.”

The six-year-old gelding made a winning start in the UK last month at Guilsborough, ridden by Gina Andrews.

He will line up in the Edgcote Gold Cup Mixed Open, sponsored by Spratt Endicott.

Sixty-two entries have been received for the six-race card, with Clerk of the Course Graham Tawell confirming that watering will be undertaken as needed to ensure good ground.

Other races of interest include the Tattersalls Cheltenham, GB Pointing Bonus, Young Horse Maiden Series Four & Five Year Old Race over 2m 5f, which features a promising line-up of young horses.

Francesca Poste is set to debut Rum N Reggae, with husband Charlie Poste optimistic about the horse’s chances.

Mr Poste said: “His schooling and work has been good.

“He is by an exciting young sire in Crystal Ocean, so it’s fingers crossed.”

Last year’s meeting saw emotional scenes after Glancing Hill’s maiden win, just days after the passing of owner Bridget Gatehouse.

Charlie Poste said: “We lost Bridget, the vet who owned him, a year ago today (Tuesday).

“She hunted him all year with the Bicester, so it would be quite poignant if he runs there and wins that race.”

The event offers a full day of family entertainment, including a hound parade, dog show, falconry, children’s activities, a bouncy castle, and live music after racing from country singer Paul Adams.

Gates open at 11am. Admission is £15 per person in advance via the Edgcote Races website or £20 on the gate, which includes a racecard. Under-15s go free.

Premium parking in the front two rows is available for £50.

Edgcote Racecourse is located approximately six miles northeast of Banbury, near the A361.

Visitors are advised to exit the M40 at junction 11 and follow the A361 to Wardington before turning right at the Hare & Hounds pub for the most direct route.