After half a century living there, the owner of a Grade II-listed stone thatched cottage has put it up for sale.

Christine Russell, 53, was born in Rookery Cottage, in Garsington, and it has been the family home for even longer, as her grandfather was once the village cobbler.

Mrs Russell, pictured, said: “I have been here for 50-odd years, so it will be a wrench to leave. But my two daughters, who are 22 and 19, are off doing their own thing so it feels like the right time for a change.”

Formerly two semi-detached labourers’ cottages, the property still has two staircases plus period features such as exposed beams, flagstone floor and open fireplaces.

The cottage, which was completely re-roofed and re-thatched three years ago, includes an inglenook fireplace with bread oven in the sitting room and there is also a snug, dining room, kitchen and four bedrooms.

The gardens include a patio and drive with parking for several cars.

Mr and Mrs Russell are celebrating after striking lucky in a competition run by their estate agent.

Kemp & Kemp’s Golden Ticket promotion offers new vendors who sign up before the end of April the chance to choose from sealed envelopes containing vouchers offering anything up to 100 per cent off the fee. Mr and Mrs Russell picked one offering a 50 per cent discount, which could save them £3,750.

Rookery Cottage is on the market for £499,000. For more information, contact agents Kemp & Kemp on 01865 510000 or visit kempandkemp.co.uk