A bequest from a late Cornish vicar has helped secure a stretch of coastline for future generations.

The National Trust has acquired Alldays Field, a 13.66-hectare site near Fowey, ensuring continued public access to part of the South West Coast Path. The purchase was made possible by a legacy from Rev Anthony Mapplebeck, who served in Cornwall and died in 1994.

The Trust said: "The South West Coast Path runs along the southern edge of the field, with a connecting path linking Coombe Farm Coast Path to Love Lane, ensuring walkers can continue to enjoy uninterrupted access to this dramatic stretch of coast."

Area ranger Andy Simmons highlighted both conservation and community value, saying: "Alldays Field is surrounded on two sides by land owned by the National Trust, which allows us to provide really lovely continuity of management over a bigger area for the benefit of nature and continued access for people."

"What we want to do over the years is really try and enhance the grasslands and better wildflower areas," he added.

The land has long been enjoyed by locals.

Reflecting on its history, Simmons said: "In 1951, Mr Alldays, an industrialist from the Midlands, gave Alldays Field to the people of Fowey for their enjoyment… Our high priority is to provide continuity of ownership so that it's available here for people to enjoy, not least for the people of Fowey."

Rev Anthony, remembered as a quiet and devoted priest, also left gifts to local churches. A former choirboy, Robin Cloke, said: "He was a fairly quiet, good churchman."

"He wasn't a person you get to know personally, but he was helpful in various things I did."

"His predecessors had been quite boisterous community people, and he was the opposite of that, but a good Christian, I think."