The owner of a floating restaurant that was a familiar sight on the Oxford Canal, has put it up for sale in a bid to bring it back to its traditional home.

Tim Matthews, who has run the Rosamund the Fair cruising eaterie for 18 years, has put it on the market for £120,000 as she "doesn't fit" with his business now based in Banbury.

He said: "Our restaurant delighted the residents of Oxford for more than 12 years, as well as guests from all over the world and she quickly gained a reputation for being the most romantic in the city."

Four years ago Mr Matthews moved his company, Rosamund Catering, to Banbury after winning a bid to run the historic Tooley's boatyard which contains Britain's oldest dry dock.

Rosamund moved with him and has continued to attract parties of gourmet diners attracted by the prospect of a meal and a trip along the canal.

But the business has diversified and Rosamund's former boat master, Matthew Armitage, now run Tooleys offering tours, a chandlery and a boat school, as well as the original working forge.

Mr Matthews has also opened the Cafe Quay, a modern canalside cafe below the Banbury Museum.

He added: "Rosamund just doesn't fit with the business that has developed. And really I would like to see her move back to Oxford where she belongs."

Rosamund, which can carry 35 people including crew, was originally moored near the Trout pub at Wolvercote and went on to be voted one of the top 100 restaurants in Britain - all from a six foot by nine foot galley.

Now Mr Matthews has found a city centre mooring for her at Hythe Bridge Street, ready for the new restaurateur/boat enthusiast to start trading immediately, leaving him with fond memories.

He said: "There are many many fascinating stories about Rosamund from over the years. So it's sad that we have decided to sell her."