ONE month after a communal shed on allotments was gutted by fire in a suspected arson, life is returning to normal for residents.

In the incident on Sunday, March 19 the shed on the Sorrel Road allotments was half-destroyed while full of communal tools.

But in the aftermath the community is already picking itself up and has plans to try to build - or rebuild - a shared space on the site.

Paul Brackett, 58, whose plot was not damaged in the fire, said: "There's talk about what's going to happen now. We could put boards at the back and repair it as a group."

Locals had been halfway through painting their shed in the colours of Oxford United for the Checkatrade final when the suspected arson took place.

But in the aftermath Mr Brackett painted his own shed yellow and blue instead and is now in the process of adding multicoloured stripes.

He said: "Everything is brilliant and everyone seems to be working hard. It's a lovely space we have got here.

"We don't fight fire with fire; we fight with water and the fire brigade come along. They were barking up the wrong tree trying to compete against us. We are established."

No arrests have been made since the incident. Thames Valley Police spokesman James Williams confirmed police are still investigating.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 43170080721.