A horsewoman wants to open an equestrian centre on a military playing field.

Pauline Ricketts, who specialises in showjumping, hopes to create the amenity for training riders and horses at the Blackthorn sports fields alongside the Bicester to Thame road.

The playing field is outside the security fence of Bicester Defence Storage and Distribution Centre (formerly Bicester Ordnance Depot), and is surplus to military needs. In recent seasons the field has been used by a local football club.

Miss Ricketts explained: "I have had talks with the Army and they are most supportive. I would lease the field from the MoD."

She said the centre would not be a riding school, but a place for showjumping riders to train.

"We would also have the new event of jumpcross, a smaller version of cross-country eventing but with portable, rather than permanent, jumps."

Miss Ricketts, of Pitchcott, near Aylesbury, is the sister of former international show jump rider Derek Ricketts, of Aldershot Farm, Bicester. Mr Ricketts is chairman of the Bicester and Finmere Show.

She has submitted a planning application to Cherwell District Council.