Moves to restore an historic river crossing on the River Thames west of Oxford are to take a step forward.

Supporters plan to hold a meeting soon to increase interest in the project, which was championed by former Cumnor Parish Council chairman, the late Frank Cheeseman.

Mr Cheeseman wanted to see a new footbridge on the site of a former crossing known as Skinner's Bridge, between Bablockhythe and Pinkhill.

He waged a four-year battle to prove there was still an existing public right of way.

He gathered evidence about the bridge to prove the existence of a crossing dating back to at least 1761, and urged both the Environment Agency and the Countryside Agency to replace it. But he died at Christmas 2000 before his ambition could be realised.

Fellow campaigners say his efforts should be commemorated on any new bridge.

Local people overwhelmingly back the venture and signalled their support at a packed public meeting in Cumnor in March last year.

The old footbridge, near Farmoor Reservoir, was badly damaged by fire in 1944 and demolished a year later.

Myrddin Davies, who chaired last year's meeting, said he and others behind the proposal were particularly interested in the design of the new bridge being built over part of the river next to The Trout inn, at Godstow, as part of its refurbishment. He said: "We're circulating a note to set up another meeting. What we have to do then is to ask ourselves, do we really need permission for rebuilding the bridge, and how do we approach the landowners on both banks?"

One landowner, William Gascoigne, who raised objections to the bridge plans last year, says he has not changed his views.

Mr Gascoigne, who owns the Stanton Harcourt Estate, near Eynsham, said it would make more sense to build a footbridge further upstream at Bablockhythe, rather than "in the middle of nowhere".

He said a bridge at that site would link two roads and could be used by walkers, cyclists and possibly horse riders, whereas the Skinner's Bridge site -- miles away from any public roads -- would connect only footpaths.

Mr Gascoigne, who said he had not yet been informed about the planned meeting, has put the matter in the hands of agents.