Long Ashton villagers lose bid for ancient woodland

People living in a North Somerset village have lost their attempt to buy a plot of ancient woodland.

Campaigners in Long Ashton feared developers were going to buy Keeds Woods and The Break, on the outskirts of the village, and started the fund.

They managed to collect more than £100,000 in pledges in less than a week but were later told their offer had not been accepted.

The 18.5-acre plot was sold to an unknown bidder.

'Amazing amount'

Bill Roberts, from Transition Long Ashton, which organised the collection, said he was disappointed the bid had failed.

"We've got no idea who won but we believe we had put a competitive offer in.

"There's a lot of disappointment in the village but at least we can celebrate the energy in the local community - that we managed to raise that amazing amount in less than a week.

"There is a right-of-way across the woods - we hope the new owners don't put fences up around the land or the footpath as this will be a real shame and make the area feel very different," Mr Roberts added.

Keeds Wood and The Break is thought to have been planted in the 1600s.

It was once part of the Smyth estate - which owned nearby Ashton Court Estate - and has been owned privately for the past 60 years.

Transition Long Ashton is a community group which aims to build a sustainable lifestyle for the residents.