But the Public Health Trust Act 1875 already imposed a statutory trust over the land, giving priority to public access and recreation.

BBC: Llanishen reservoir, Cardiff

The Ministry of Justice funding comes after 15 years without any statutory funding for the work of the trust.

BBC: Bedfordshire's Road Victims Trust gets ?166,000 funding

"This decision was taken following the minister's decision to reduce statutory residential care, and will not affect the large number of people the trust has placed in private residential care and nursing home care, " the statement said.

BBC: Elderly woman with walking stick