A long-running rent dispute over a social club's premises has been resolved without legal action.

Kidlington Recreational Trust had started legal proceedings to evict the trust's social club from its Yarnton Road base after club members refused to pay rent on the building.

But the threat of a costly legal battle was avoided after club members agreed at an AGM last week to pay rent, increasing to £12,500 after five years.

In the first year the club will pay £6,250, in the second £7,500, and £8,750 in the third. In the fourth year the club will pay £10,000.

The sliding scale is intended to help the club -- which made a trading loss of £20,000 last year -- meet its financial obligations.

Both sides expressed their relief that the three-year dispute had ended.

The trust can now invest more money in sporting facilities in Kidlington, and the club can plan for a secure future.

Nick Duval, chairman of Kidlington Recreational Trust, said: "We are chuffed to bits. This guarantees us an income which our charity can use to maintain our recreation grounds, and invest in sport in the village."

Clive Walsh, club chairman, said: "It's excellent news we are in agreement and hopefully it will allow us to move forward.

"We hope that membership will now increase, and we have plans to redecorate the functions room."

The club provides its members with bars and a restaurant.