CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after being told a new independent body would be set up to run the Forest of the Dean.

HOOF chairman Rich Daniels said all those who had come out in the snow to stand on Speech House field had saved the Forest for future generations.

"This new body will be what the Forestry Commission migrates into and it will hold the public Forest estate in trust for the nation," he said.

"Basically it will be free from political interference so nobody can come along in ten years time and try and sell it off.

"I call that a very positive result and it vindicates all those people who came out in the cold and snow to stand on the Speech House field two years ago."

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson also announced an extra £3 million for the Forestry Commission to make up for the loss of land sales.

Campaigners would help shape the new body over the next two years.

Rich was in London as the Minister announced the Government's response to the Independent Panel on Forestry's report on the future of trees and woodland.

The Government have accepted many of the Independent Panel's recommendations in full and there has been widespread support for the decision to abandon proposals for any sell off or handover.

Mr Paterson said:" A new, independent body will ensure our woods are held in trust and managed for the long term benefit of future generations, nature and the economy.

"Our woodland economy has the potential to create jobs and growth, and the action plan the forestry industry is establishing will set out a road map to achieve that."

Forestry Minister David Heath said the government could not run the public forest estate alone and wanted to build on a spirit of partnership forged by the Independent Panel.

Mr Paterson has also put plant diseases at the top of the agenda for Defra,

He has established an independent plant health task force convened by Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Ian Boyd to address diseases such as ash dieback.

In the meantime the Forestry Commission's will get £2m for additional pressures from Chalara

An Open Air Laboratories survey in May 2013 will result in a major field examination of ash trees.