TWO of the nation's best-known environmentalists have declared their support for HOOF.

Green guru Jonathon Porritt, who advises Prince Charles, and bestselling author Bill Bryson, president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, have both lined up behind HOOF. They join the Bishops of Guildford and Gloucester, Lord Denis Healey and actor Richard Wilson.

Lydbrook Parish Council agreed unanimously last week to support HOOF, and the Forest's Transition group is also behind the campaign.

Bishop Michael Perham of Gloucester said: "The thought that the Forest of Dean needs to be sold in order to belong to the people who live within the Forest is an extraordinary idea. At a fundamental level it always has belonged to the people and always will... and anything that might lead to more restricted access for its inhabitants and for those who come to visit needs to be firmly resisted.

"As Bishop of Gloucester, a diocese of which the Forest parishes are an important part, and as a member of the House of Lords, I pledge my support to HOOF and to the campaign to save our Forest.

"The new year is a time for resolutions and here is a cause where we need to be strong in our resolution."

Bill Bryson, best known for his humorous travel book Notes From A Small Island, said: "It is extraordinary that one of the country's most ancient forests – a place of great beauty that is enjoyed by so many people – is also one of its least protected. The Forest of Dean is immensely valuable to the nation. It should continue to be managed as a whole for the widest public benefit. I salute your efforts to defend this special area and wish you success."

Cheltenham-based Mr Porritt has written a blog titled 'Why you wouldn't want to be Mark Harper MP' which can be seen at http://www.jonathonporritt.com">www.jonathonporritt.com

Of the sell-off proposals, he said: "It is, quite literally, madness that such options should even be under consideration. The Foresters are therefore on the war-path... The local campaign called HOOF has already attracted massive support – which should be making Mark Harper very nervous indeed."

Coleford-based children's writer Shoo Rayner has written a blog titled 'what's the point of an MP?'

The Monster Boy author said: "Sadly, the Government is planning to let the real monsters into the real Forest of Dean."

He said he hoped Mark Harper was working behind the scenes on getting an exemption for the Forest of Dean in the White Paper on forestry due out in January.

Now campaigners are to ask Mr Harper if he will add his signature to an Early Day Motion against the sale of public forestry land, introduced in Parliament on December 14 by Green MP Caroline Lucas.