WOMEN among the first to become Freemen of Oxford have exercised their right to inspect Port Meadow.

Howard Crapper, chairman of the Freemen, and Elise Benjamin, the Sheriff of Oxford, led the walkers on Friday.

Last year, then Lord Mayor Susanna Pressel made history by choosing a female as her first “Childe”, selecting Alison Cobb of Binsey, aged 74.

Until last autumn, the Lord Mayor was not allowed to nominate women. But the Privy Council changed the law for nominations, as well as agreeing to allow daughters of Freemen to inherit the rank.

Ms Cobb has campaigned for better flood defences in West Oxford. The Freemen inspected the meadow before going to the Plough in Wolvercote.