JUST six years ago it was home to more than 250 tonnes of rubbish, but now it’s an award-winning beauty spot.

After months of work and £80,000 of investment, Heyford Meadow has been transformed from a scrap yard to a nature reserve.

Oxford Preservation Trust, which acquired the land in 2006, has been given the Canal and River Trust Renaissance award for the Natural Environment in recognition of the transformation.

Debbie Dance, director of Oxford Preservation Trust, said: “Everyone is delighted to have our first nature park at Heyford Meadow recognised in this way.

“We are so grateful to our many volunteers and thank the Four Pillars Hotel for their support and contributions.

“It is because of our individual and corporate members that we are able to fund and maintain worthwhile projects such as Heyford Meadow.”

The 11-acre water meadow in Sandford-on-Thames is maintained with the help of volunteers from the nearby hotel.

Seven years ago former owner John Tate left the water meadow to Oxford Preservation Trust in his will and the trust had to raise the money for the clearing work before it could begin. The trust then began the work in 2009 and the site opened to the public in spring 2011.

Andy Gunn from the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust, who helped transform it, said: “Thanks to the creation of three ponds new populations of toads, grass snakes and newts are thriving.

“The restoration of Heyford Meadows is important for Oxford because it creates more space for wildlife, and links with the nearby Iffley Meadows nature reserve and wild places beside the Thames towards the city centre.”

Oxford Preservation Trust already owns 900 acres of land, including the Victoria Arms in Marston and the land at Boars Hill where Matthew Arnold’s famous “dreaming spires” can be seen from.

Its work at Heyford Meadow was supported by £30,000 of funding from the Four Pillars Hotel Group, Million Pond Project, Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment and WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Limited).

The award was given in partnership between the Environment Agency and the Canal and River Trust.

Helen Carey, chairman of the Waterways Renaissance Awards assessment panel, said: “It’s vital that we protect our inland waterways and celebrate the work individuals and organisations are doing to ensure future generations can enjoy all they have to offer.

“We can all learn so much from these achievements, especially when it comes to engaging communities to make the most of their canals and rivers.”