Wallingford’s bid for bathing water status has taken a major step forward as the number of summer river-users exceeded national requirements.

Over two busy days, 391 and 143 people swam in the town’s stretch of the River Thames or took to the water on paddleboards and kayaks.

The numbers exceeded the average of at least 100 bathers over two days which the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) requires for bathing water status applications.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire fire crews tackle huge barn fire on county lines

It means that Thames 21, the organisation which is leading efforts to secure the status for the town, can submit its application to DEFRA at the end of the month.

A spokesperson said: “The last burst of summer weather in September really helped here.”

Twice before, the town has applied for the designation, which would require Thames Water to treat waste outflows into the river to a higher standard. 

This means harmful material would be removed before it was released into the river.

Oxford Mail: Jo Robb swimming in the River Thames in WallingfordJo Robb swimming in the River Thames in Wallingford (Image: Ed Nix)

Jo Robb, a councillor and wild-water swimmer who has been involved in the application process, said: “It’s a big step forward.

“It highlights in a way that this is a stretch of river that is extremely well used, well loved, and absolutely deserving of bathing water status.

“We had a wet summer so I was initially quite worried. But then there was a hot weekend at the end and we had well over 300 bathers.

“We know in any weekend in the summer we could have at least 100 bathers over a four-hour period but it was really pleasing to see that it was well over.

READ MORE: Almost 500 homes approved in Kidlington near Oxford

“It’s one of the few bathing water stretches in the country that can boast those sorts of numbers.

“I can’t think of any other stretch of the river apart from the Wolvercote Mill Stream – which already has bathing water status – and you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the country.

“I can’t see how DEFRA can refuse an application when Wallingford meets all of the criteria.

“You have got accessibility from the town centre, parking, toilet facilities – everything you could possibly need.

"I hope that finally this is an application that DEFRA can’t refuse.”

The first application for bathing water status was withdrawn by applicants Wallingford Town Council last year.

The second – which was submitted by South Oxfordshire District Council and the town council with support from environmental charity Thames 21 – was controversially refused by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in March.