CAMPAIGNING Biddulph resident Jan Athis is looking for support for her bid to save land used by walkers and children from would-be developers.

Mrs Athis is hoping to win Village Green status for the land in question, which she says has been used by local people for the last 50 years.

The land lies at the top end of the Biddulph Valley amenity area, and her campaign was sparked by fears for its future.

"My concern began when I saw a surveyor on the land," said Mrs Athis, from Moorland Road.

"He wouldn't tell me what he was surveying it for, or who he was working for, which is worrying, if not surprising.

"Then I remembered hearing something on the radio about a change in the law about common land and village greens.

"I was so upset at the thought we would lose this lovely piece of wild land I thought I must do something."

The House of Lords ruled in June that land used by the public for recreational purposes for 20 years or more could be given Village Green status, she said, and so be protected from development.

She is asking people with knowledge of the public use of the land before 1979 to write to the county clerk at County Buildings, Stafford, or lobby their local councillor.

Mrs Athis can be contacted on 01782-513741.

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