A bantam cockerel who has been strutting around the garden of a house in Bladon for the last three years will soon be moving on as his owner is selling his home.

Steve and owner Sue Hiscock live at Copytherne, Grove Road, which was built of locally quarried stone in the early 1900s and features the trademark cross of Henry Tolley, a Bladon builder, over the porch.

Mrs Hiscock, who reared Steve from a day-old chick, said: “I shall really miss this house after living here for 28 years but it is time to downsize.

“I want to release some cash to help my children on to the property ladder. My daughter graduated recently and is living in Bristol and my son will be off soon.

“Copytherne is the sort of place that really needs a family but we will be moving somewhere where Steve will feel at home!”

The front elevation has charming symmetry, with double bay windows, two dormers and a chimney at either end of the tiled roof. To the side of the property there is a double garage with adjoining spacious workshop.

Both the Hiscocks and the former owner of the property have extended it.

The four-bedroomed house now has a conservatory, three versatile family rooms and kitchen/dining room.

Original features such as fireplaces and sash windows remain to add charm and character.

Mrs Hiscock, who worked in the fashion industry and now makes a range of small items from vintage fabrics, has an obvious eye for design She has lovingly tended the rear garden, which slopes gently upwards to a woodland glade.

It has lawns, fruit trees and well-stocked herbaceous borders.

Mrs Hiscock added: “It is a fantastic garden for children, with lots of places to play and hide, and for adults too. We put hammocks between the trees in the summer and it is great for parties.

“Another bonus is being able to get almost anywhere on footpaths. We can walk to Begbroke and Yarnton and pick fruit from the hedgerows to make wine and jam.

“We are lucky as nearby Blenheim Park has such a natural unspoilt beauty and you can walk through the park to Woodstock in about 20 minutes.”

Huw Warren, of Oxford-based selling agents Savills, said: “Copytherne is one of those houses you cannot help noticing because it is so picturesque, something of a landmark in Bladon. The origin of its name is something of a mystery, though.”

Copytherne is on the market through Savills (01865 339700) at a guide price of £850,000.