THREE thousand people braved the snow to send the Hands Off Our Forest message to the Government.

They marched through the Cyril Hart Arboretum and into Speech House Meadow for the New Year HOOF rally.

Keynote speakers included Labour leader of the House of Lords Baroness Royall, leading environmentalist Jonathon Porritt, the Bishop of Guildford the Rt Rev Christopher Hill and chairman of the HOOF steering committee Rich Daniels.

They explained why the Forest of Dean was at risk of being sold off because of the Coalition's imminent plans to restructure the Forestry Commission through the Public Bodies Bill.

They warned the Government it faced widespread opposition if they tried to sell off parts of the Forest to private investors.

Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper did not turn up at the rally but has said there was no threat to the Forest of Dean and constituents should wait for the White Paper to be published later this month.

The rally ended with the ceremonial burning of a wooden sculpture of the Houses of Parliament entitled Big Ben(t) – constructed by sculptor Phil Bews.