OXON: The controversial high-speed rail project which will go through the county is hiring 60 spin doctors, it has been reported.

According to The Sunday Times, HS2, the taxpayer-funded body behind the project, is recruiting a head of public affairs to run the team which will have the task of “building trust and respect” in the scheme.

A spokesman for HS2 said: “There is a small communications team but it is wholly wrong to suggest that we have set up a large division of PR experts.”