DEAN Forest Voice wants help from other organisations and individuals fighting the Forestry sell-off to help form a steering group.

Baroness Jan Royall of Blaisdon has responded to the pressure group's invitation to say she will help all she can, and attend steering group meetings if she is in the area.

"The initial aims of the steering group will be to provide a source of reliable information regarding the possible threats of a sell-off of the Forest woodlands and to co-ordinate opposition to any such threats," said spokesman Keith Morgan, from Broadwell.

"As in 1981 and 1992, this is not the first time the Forest has come under threat from a sell-off, and now, as then, we are determined to fight the threat. Dean Forest Voice will be releasing details of an information website soon."

DFV members unanimously agreed to the steering group plan at a meeting last Monday at the Rising Sun in Moseley Green. Anyone wanting to join should call 01594 833552.

Next Thursday, the future of the Forestry Commission will be discussed at the Forest of Dean Autumn Forum, held in Coalway. Due to limited space, attendance is by invite only, to representatives of councils and organisations.