1994: Royal approval for oil drilling at Windsor

The Queen has given the go ahead for oil drilling to take place in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Exploratory work could get underway as early as next summer at the popular tourist spot.

The move comes after studies showed there could be up to £1bn of oil lying beneath the castle, in Berkshire, which is still being repaired after fire ripped through it two years ago.

Canadian Dr Desmond Oswald and his wife Olive, who own Canuk Explorations which is behind the plan, estimate there is a one-in-eight chance of finding enough oil to fill 100 million barrels.

The drilling is expected to reach a depth of 300 m (984 ft) and would take place at Home Park which is situated about 500 m (1,640 ft) from the castle wall.

New technology means if oil is discovered it can be drilled underground from a well positioned about one mile away (1.6 km).

It is bound to lead to Windsor Great Park being turned almost into a second Dallas

Dennis Outwin, mayor of Windsor and Maidenhead

