A house where the founder of a leading animal charity lived for more than half a century is up for sale.

The detached property in Blandford Avenue was built in the 1950s for Margaret Gray who helped set up the Oxford Animal Sanctuary in Stadhampton.

Miss Gray, 94, has moved into an Oxford nursing home but was involved in the running of the rescue centre until recently.

Earlier this year, The Oxford Times’s sister paper, the Oxford Mail rallied its readers to help save the charity, after it faced a funding crisis.

Friend and neighbour Abi Howe, who has known Miss Gray for 20 years, said: “Margo is very astute and used to breed cocker spaniels but she adores all animals.You would often see her in her old Barbour and headscarf, feeding biscuits to the goats.”

The Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary was created in 1967 by Miss Gray and seven other women, after she decided to set up a charity to take care of stray dogs.

Since then, the charity has re-homed hundreds of animals including cats, rabbits, goats and guinea pigs. Miss Gray was awarded the Certificate of Honour by Oxford’s Lord Mayor of Oxford in recognition of her work.

Peter Long, of agents Savills, said: “Number 29, Blandford Avenue offers good accommodation over two floors but is in need of modernisation.

“The gardens were perfect for accommodating Miss Gray’s own many pets. At the end of the garden is an additional, somewhat wild, wooded garden which is available by separate negotiation.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to put their own stamp on a property. To have the chance to acquire gardens of over a third of an acre in North Oxford is exceptional “ Number 29, Blandford Avenue is on the market at a guide price of £795,000. For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Savills on 01865 339700 or visit savills.com