Curators of a graveyard are trying to preserve the memory of two boys who died in a skating accident 180 years ago.

The Old Church Preservation Society wants to restore the weather-worn headstone that marks where James Joiner, 16, and Charles Pugh, 15, are buried.

The two boys died on Boxing Day in 1822 while skating across the large pond in Sarsden, near Chipping Norton, when the ice broke and they plunged to their death.

The curators want the headstone in Churchill Cemetery, at Hastings Hill, to be re-lettered so that others can learn about the tragedy.

Society member Alan Watkins said: "These two very sad deaths are part of the history of the village and it will be nice to preserve it.

"The condition of the stone appears to be good but, over 200 years, the lettering has greatly worn away."

The society has applied to the Diocese of Oxford for a faculty to remove the headstone.

The cleaning work will cost about £1,500 which will be paid for through donations and preservation society funds.

Mr Watkins has published an official notice asking if anyone objects, but has not had any responses.

Although there are Joiners still living in the village, it is not known if there are any living descendants of the boys.

The pond where the boys drowned was one of many lakes used for breeding carp for the table at Sarsden House.

It was emptied to remove the bodies and has only recently been filled in again.