ANGRY dog walkers stopped from using a popular route in Yarnton say they will apply for it to become a public right of way.

New owners at Yarnton Manor last month prevented dog walkers using a private section of their pathway in the village’s Church Lane, because of their decision to turn the building in to an International Study Centre.

Manor owner George Humphreys said the decision had been made in line with child protections policies issued by the Department for Education.

That prompted the dog walkers, who said they have been using the pathway for more than 30 years, to voice their opposition to the landowner’s decision.

Led by property maintenance manager Richard Byrne, of Aysgarth Road, and teacher Louise Groves and her husband Michael Groves, of The Garth, they held a meeting that more than 100 people attended.

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Mr Byrne said the result of the meeting was the decision to submit a Public Right of Way application.

He added: “We are going to keep fighting tooth and nail because they are not going to stop us walking there.

“The mood was really angry because the parish council are not doing anything.

“There were more than 100 people [at the last meeting] and the next one will be at the Exeter Hall in Kidlington and I am really glad with that turnout.”

The meeting took place at the Red Lion pub in Yarnton on Tuesday.

Mr Byrne said the date of the future meeting has yet to be decided.