The creation of a new 2.5sq mile country park has been recommended in a report.

It says that the park, to the north east of Didcot, would provide vital green breathing space for the rapidly expanding town, which is expected to double in size over the next 20 years.

The plans, revealed this week, include informal green spaces, or 'doorstep greens' on the southern edge of town, which would link up to Mowbray Fields and Millennium Wood.

Paths called 'greenways' would link all of the green spaces in the town together, as well as Wittenham Clumps Dominic Lamb, countryside officer for South Oxfordshire District Council, which commissioned the report, said: "It will be an holistic approach, as all the green spaces will be linked. We see this as a key issue.

"We want to get away from the use of cars and all the spaces will be linked by new greenways, which will run between them. We're providing something which will be accessible to as many people as possible.

"The real benefits for people will be in terms of health and well-being."

The park would cost several million pounds to develop and would be based around land owned and managed by the Northmoor Trust, which looks after the Clumps' nature reserve.

Visitors would be able to walk to the park from Didcot and explore on foot, bike or horse- back.

There would also be opportunities for recreation, education and conservation within a range of habitats, including agricultural land, woodland and hay meadow.

Ben Earl, a spokesman for the Northmoor Trust, said: "Anything to increase people's access to vital green spaces we are supportive of."

Thomas Robbins, 16, a member of Didcot Phoenix Cycle Club, said: "It will be brilliant, it will encourage more cyclists and walkers to come to the area.

"We have to go to Wales for decent trails but it would be nice to have some decent local trails."

Residents are being invited to have their say on the proposals before Tuesday, March 4, when the study will come to an end.

Any comments should be sent to Dominic Lamb, Countryside Officer, South Oxfordshire District Council, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, OX10 8QX or emailed to dominic.lamb@southoxon.gov.uk When, and if, agreed, the plans would be implemented between 2010 and 2016.