Banbury RFC have welcomed the news that their Bodicote Park ground has been purchased by Cherwell District Council.

The council, which is obliged to build a pavilion and make the site available for public sporting use, bought it for £240,000 last week from Russell Harrison PLC.

Banbury secretary Tim Rogers said: “Banbury Rugby Club have a great need to establish security on their Bodicote Park ground.

“We are enormously proud of the service we give to Banbury, particularly the youth.

“To develop and maintain that service requires long term, secure occupancy of the site.

“CDC purchasing the site ends a period of uncertainty, and we look forward to continuing discussions with them to achieve a long-term solution.”