STAFF at the Forestry Commission HQ in Coleford could take on woodlands from Shropshire to Lands End under a major national shake-up.

Forestry Commission workers across England were yesterday told of proposals to save around £15 million, which could cost one in five jobs.

But Bank House in Coleford could be spared under the restructure sparked by Government cuts.

Under proposals currently being consulted on, some of the 11 district offices will be closed down and Coleford will take on more work covering a bigger area.

Deputy surveyor Kevin Stannard outlined the proposals to 44 Coleford staff in a series of meetings yesterday.

"We launched an internal consultation into proposals that would radically change the structure of Forestry Comm ission England," he said.

"The proposals include a reduction in management units and a 20 per cent reduction in posts."

It is understood that the commission plans to close the Exeter office and give Coleford a larger geographical area.

Local forestry union rep resentative Dave Sykes said: "The Forestry Commission is not a failing organisation.

"We are a successful organ isation with caring and passionate staff who do a good job and do not deserve to be in this situation."

The shake-up is the result of the comprehensive spending review and has nothing to do with plans to hand over the Forest of Dean to a charitable trust, which was debated by MPs yesterday. Shadow Environment Secretary Mary Creagh revealed that Defra's impact assessment branded plans to transfer heritage forests as 'unviable' because it would cost £507.9 million to raise £495.9 million.

But Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday told the Commons that organisations like the Woodland Trust and National Trust could do a better job than the Forestry Commission.