An ancient Oxfordshire meadow has become the latest Lottery winner.

Buck Pool Spinney, next to Hurst Water Meadow, near Dorchester-on-Thames is to benefit from a Local Heritage Initiative grant under a scheme run by the Countryside Agency. The £8,497 will be spent on maintaining the meadow and improving public access.

The secretary of the Hurst Water Meadow Trust, Dr Peter Pritchard, said: "We will be improving public access to the site, including that for wheelchairs, allowing more local people and the wider public to appreciate its heritage value.

"A new footbridge will be constructed by contractors and volunteers will do a range of other work, including otter holt construction and improvement of water vole habitats. We want more people to be aware of the importance of Buck Pool Spinney and to understand its significance to the local area."

Buck Pool Spinney is part of the River Thames floodplain and includes rare woodland with willow, alder and black poplar. The meadow has been associated with a nearby mill since the eight century and considerable research has been carried out at the site.

The Countryside Agency's local heritage initiative adviser for the south east region, Kevin Haugh, said: "I am really pleased to see this project now getting under way. There is lots of local support for the project and the community will benefit by learning more about the significance of the water meadows as part of their local heritage."

The grant scheme is designed to help local groups investigate, explain and care for their local landscape, landmarks, traditions and culture.