Banbury is at the centre of a new environmental drive, with TV presenter John Craven choosing the town to launch a nationwide campaign to make Britain's waterways greener.

The project, which aims to neutralise carbon emissions from the holiday craft that use Britain's canals and rivers, was launched by Mr Craven, who presents BBC's Sunday morning Countryfile show, and lives in Adderbury.

Mr Craven was at Tooley's Boatyard to establish the Green Fund, a new scheme by heritage charity The Waterways Trust.

The Green Fund will invest in low carbon technologies and other environmental projects to help offset exhaust fumes from river and canal craft.

Mr Craven, who is vice-president of the trust, said: "The fund will give grants to people who depend on the waterways for their living, to encourage them to develop projects such as hydroelectric turbines in the weirs at the side of locks. They could power electric lights in buildings around the lock.

"Canal water could also be used in heating and air conditioning systems in places like Castle Quay."