VILLAGERS rallied to save a plot of woodland threatened with being sold when they turned out in force at a public meeting to vehemently oppose the controversial move.

Impassioned Staveley residents packed the Pavillion on Monday night to demonstrate that they were unanimously against the potential sale of Craggy Wood by the Lake District National Park Authority.

The deciduous woodland covering steep crags of carved rock is a popular place for villagers to walk and is used for educational purposes by the primary school. Children also play in it and villagers are keen that it is retained for future generations to enjoy.

Staveley with Ings parish councillor Gerry Wilkinson likened the proposal to selling off the crown jewels.

"I think we've got a fantastic Craggy Wood. My feeling is that if the Lake District National Park Authority doesn't want it then it should go to a woodland trust," said Cllr Wilkinson. "It should stay in our control because it is an asset and it will always increase in value. To think about selling it - it's like selling off the crown jewels."

Mark Hoggar, the head of resources for the LDNPA, explained the authority's reasoning behind why the woodland might be sold.

"We have a lot of our capital tied up in property. What we're seeking to do is find a way to unlock some of that capital and reinvest it in other parts of the park," he said. "

During a question and answer session, several common concerns were raised by those in attendance, including what criteria a potential buyer would have to meet, whether rights of way would be affected and why the park would choose to sell an appreciating asset.

Mr Hoggar explained that the woodland's status as open access land and the right of way footpaths were protected by law.

"Whether we are the owner or we're not the owner, those protections are in place so in that sense nothing would change if we decided to find a new owner," he said.

He also said that any potential buyer would have to have the appropriate finances in place to manage the woodland, as well as a robust woodland management plan.

Parish councillor closed the meeting by telling the LDNPA representatives present that the community 'pleaded' with the LDNPA to keep hold of Craggy Wood.

The review of the woodland will continue over an unspecified time and the decision about whether to sell will be put before members of the LDNPA.