Oxfordshire Live: Wednesday 1 March

The NSPCC has commented on the serious case review into the sexual and physical abuse of two children by their guardian. 

A spokesman said: “This was a particularly awful case in which a person who was trusted with the care of these children carried out horrific abuse against them.

“It is always worrying when opportunities are missed to protect children and the flaws highlighted by this report must be rectified as soon as possible.

“This case highlights once again that children’s interests must be at the heart of all decisions that professionals make."

Solent News and Photo AgencyCopyright: Solent News and Photo Agency

Flt Lt Andrew Townshend accepts his camera deactivated the autopilot during the flight.

RAF pilot cleared of lying over nosedive

Flt Lt Andrew Townshend accepts his camera deactivated the autopilot during the flight.

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England's Rugby Union squad have been put through their paces at St Edward's School in north Oxford today.

The squad will stay in the county for the rest of the week ahead of their next Six Nations match a week on Saturday against Scotland.

There are reports that trains between Reading and London Paddington are at a standstill while urgent track repairs are carried out. 

Great Western Railway services are believed to be affected.

The two sides in the row over whether Oxfordshire should replace its six councils with one have taken to Twitter to post quotes supporting their sides.

Oxford City Council posts this from former resident Andrew:

Oxford City CouncilCopyright: Oxford City Council

And here is Oxfordshire County Council quoting Wantage MP Ed Vaizey:

Oxfordshire County CouncilCopyright: Oxfordshire County Council

Almost nine out of 10 Oxfordshire children applying for secondary school places across the county have been offered a place at their first-choice school for September, the county council has said.

OCCCopyright: OCC

In total 88.64% of pupils have received a first-preference offer, despite an increase in the number of pupils transferring to secondary schools in Oxfordshire.

A further 6.66% have been offered their second choice and 1.53% offered their third preference.

Oxford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has warned patients planning to visit its sites tomorrow that they could face disruptions due to a bus drivers' strike.

Oxford Bus CompanyCopyright: Oxford Bus Company

Unite union workers from Oxford Bus Company will stage walk outs tomorrow and on Monday in a dispute over Christmas bank holiday pay .

Contingency timetables have been put in place and are on  the company's website .

A 17-year-old has died in hospital following a motorcycle crash yesterday morning .   

An RAF pilot accused of causing his plane to nosedive while using a digital camera has been cleared of lying to investigators.

PACopyright: PA

Flight Lieutenant Andrew Townshend was accused of dishonestly claiming the dive was caused by a technical fault. 

A court martial at Bulford heard the Voyager aircraft plummeted 4,400ft over the Black Sea during a flight from RAF Brize Norton to Afghanistan. 

The 49-year-old was found not guilty of perjury and making a false record. 

However, Flt Lt Townshend admitted negligently performing a duty in relation to the Nikon camera colliding with the aircraft's control stick.  

Police have launched a video warning drivers about the dangers of driving with a mobile phone. 

Today punishments for drivers caught using their mobile phones increased to six driving licence points and a £200 fine. 

In a joint appeal, Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police said that 145 accidents in the last two years were caused by people using their mobile phone. 

They added that 11 people had died as a result of the accidents in the region. 

Bus drivers and workers at one of Oxford's biggest bus services will go on strike tomorrow and Monday in a dispute over Christmas and bank holiday pay.

Oxford Bus Company managing director Phil Southall said the company has made four separate offers to members of Unite, but none were accepted. 

As a result union members will strike tomorrow and 6 March. Mr Southall predicts that 490 people will go on strike. 

What is the brightest light in the universe used for? 

Well, one of the most recent uses of the Diamond Light Source in Harwell was to look at bone density in osteoporosis patients. 

As a result, scientists found that the current treatment for the disease - bisphosphonates - inhibits bone degeneration. 

Drivers caught using a phone within two years of passing their test will have their licence revoked under new rules in England, Scotland and Wales. 

Penalties for using a phone at the wheel double from 1 March to six points and a £200 fine. 

New drivers who get six points or more must retake their practical and theory. More experienced drivers can be banned if they get 12 points in three years.

Calls to prevent drivers using phones intensified last year in the wake of several high-profile cases and research indicating that it was widespread. 

In October, lorry driver Tomasz Kroker, who killed a mother and three children while distracted by his phone on the A34, was jailed for 10 years.

Good morning here's the latest travel news:

• On the A40 eastbound there are delays of 30 minutes from Witney East to the Wolvercote roundabout
• At the Hinksey Hill interchange it's slow on all approaches from the A34 north and southbound. 
• There are also delays from Boars Hill and the A423 southern bypass from Heyford HIll due to a broken down car. 
• In Headington the roads are very slow due to temporary traffic lights on Old Road. 
• In the city centre it is busier than usual on all inbound roads: expect delays on the Woodstock Road, Marsh Lane, Botley Road and the London Road. 

A boy with autism left bereft when he left his favourite toy at Manchester Airport now has a replica teddy after his mother launched a lost toy appeal. 

Anne Kidd, from Eccleston, Lancashire, said her son Thomas' 'horsey' was his "best bud, sleeping partner... and extension of his hand for his 13 years". 

Thomas's aunt made him a replica of his cuddly toy for his return from holiday but he rejected it. 

His mother launched an appeal #findhorsey and Tam Miall, from Oxford, sent her daughter's exact replica of 'horsey' to Thomas.

It's the first day of the meteorological spring but the weather isn't playing ball just yet. 

There's going to be consistent rain throughout the day and highs of 9C. 

In the words of soft-rock star Jon Bon Jovi: "We're halfway there, oh living on a prayer."

And too true it's halfway, halfway through the week that is. 

Yes, that's right, it's Wednesday and we'll be bringing you the latest, news, sports, travel and weather. 

Pauline MasseyCopyright: Pauline Massey

Our thanks to Pauline Massey for sending in this snap of skeletons at the Oxford University Natural History Museum. 

You can send us your pictures for this week's Oxfordshire's Big Picture by email .