The Oxford Preservation Trust has bought 11 acres of land beside the River Thames at Godstow, north Oxford.

The purchase will ensure the long-term protection of the site, which is next to the car park of the popular riverside pub, The Trout.

The area borders land already owned by the Trust in Godstow, which is now used as allotments and a community orchard.

The acquisition was announced to members at the annual meeting of the trust, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this summer.

The Godstow land was purchased from the De La Mare family for an undisclosed sum. It includes 16 moorings.

Trust secretary Debbie Dance said: "We have wanted this piece of land for a long time and are delighted that it has all come together. It will further our aim to ensure long-term protection of green sites, particularly at Godstow and Wolvercote."

She said the pasture land would be managed in an environmentally sensitive way, with the interests of local boaters fully taken into account.

It is the second important riverside purchase by the trust in recent times.

It acquired 58 acres of unspoilt land next to the Thames, beside Swinford Bridge, Eynsham, at a discount from an environmentally minded farmer two years ago.

The trust now owns more than 500 acres of land, including areas of Boar's Hill, and a huge riverside frontage which stretches from Sandford Lock to the railway bridge at Kennington.