The David versus Goliath fight over Radley Lakes has ended with victory for the underdogs.

For a long time, an end to this row never looked in sight.

Pitched battles were fought on the ground and High Court battles loomed large.

But coal ash will no longer be dumped at the popular beauty spot near Abingdon, marking the end of a three year fight to save it. Thrupp Lake was granted a lifeline yesterday as RWE npower, owner of Didcot Power Station, confirmed a deal had been struck with Waste Recycling Group, which will use the ash at its Sutton Courtenay landfill site.

Thrupp Lake will now be made available to the community as a nature reserve and all efforts must now be dedicated to improving the area.