A new crossing over the River Thames near Oxford could be resurrected - after a gap of almost 60 years.

Villagers at Cumnor are keen to have a new footbridge built to replace one destroyed by fire towards the end of the Second World War.

The old crossing, close to Farmoor Reservoir, was known as Skinner's Bridge after Hannah Skinner, who ran a nearby inn during the 19th century.

After its destruction, it was pulled down in 1945 and never replaced.

But one villager, former parish chairman Frank Cheeseman, rallied support for a new bridge after winning a four-year battle to prove there was an existing public right of way.

Mr Cheeseman, who died last December, gathered evidence about the old bridge to successfully prove the historical existence of the river crossing dating back to at least 1761.

During his campaign he urged both the Environment Agency and the Countryside Commission to replace it.

Now there is every chance that if his project gets the green light - and the signs are promising - his work in trying to re-establish the crossing may well be commemorated on the new bridge.

Philip Hawtin, the present chairman of the parish council, paid tribute to Mr Cheeseman's tireless efforts to secure the new facility.

"He didn't want to get involved in the building of a bridge until he established the right of way. His is a major, major contribution to this project, and we're all very enthusiastic about it."

Mr Hawtin said that a public meeting was now being arranged for next month to gauge local people's reaction.

He said: "I would to think it could happen, and also that in time, a small plaque might be placed there to record his contribution."

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said that if built, a new footbridge would connect two rights of way and, therefore, would be the responsibility of the highways authority.

She added: "However, if a planning application was submitted, we would have to be consulted as the applicant would need to obtain land drainage consent from us and would also need permission from us to build on the floodplain."

Peter Brown, Oxfordshire County Council's bridge engineer, said the project would have to be "something of a local initiative" in terms of raising the estimated cost of between £100,000 and £150,000.

He added: "We haven't done any survey there or carried out any consultation, but certainly it's feasible - very much so.

"It's a matter of costs, but obviously we're going to help where we can."