Countryside lobby group the Campaign to Protect Rural England has created a 50-mile circular walk around Oxford to celebrate the CPRE's 75th anniversary.

Known as the Oxford Green Belt Way, each mile of the walk represents a year since the designation of the city's "green lung" in 1956.

The route takes in some of the county's most stunning vistas, links Oxford's park and ride sites and is crossed by major bus routes.

The walk, which uses existing footpaths and bridleways, provides views of Oxford's internationally-recognised landscape in addition to the less familiar areas of Thrupp, Shipton-on-Cherwell, Wytham and Foxcombe Hill.

Although the entire 50-mile stretch will not be officially opened until next year, the idea will be marked with a short stroll along part of the route on Saturday.

Oxfordshire CPRE campaigner Andy Boddington said: "The Oxford Green Belt Way will be a celebration of the beautiful and diverse landscape that surrounds the city of the dreaming spires, which has been protected from destructive develop- ment by its Green Belt status."

Large scale housing development in Oxford is still one of the most crucial issues facing the city.

The South East Plan, a planning blueprint which details the number of homes to be built in the region until 2026, makes provision for at least 47,200 new houses in Oxfordshire, but none is earmarked around Oxford because Oxfordshire County Council wants them built in and around Bicester, Banbury and Didcot instead.

However, a public examination of the plan later this year represents the city council's last chance to convince inspectors of the need for development in Green Belt land south of Grenoble Road, Blackbird Leys.

The seven-mile circular walk on Saturday is open to all and starts at Thornhill park and ride at 10am, taking in Sandhills, Forest Hill, Stanton St John and Beckley.

The CPRE will repair broken stiles and gates before the route is officially opened in June next year.