ANCIENT 50-acre Bircham Wood near Coleford is up for sale.

It was bought by the Crown 200 years ago but is now being sold by the Forestry Commission for £160,000 through John Clegg & Co, based in Thame, Oxfordshire.

The wood, which lies between Whitecliff and Newland outside the Forest's Statutory boundary, is surplus to Forestry needs.

The agent describes it as "an excellent prospect for an investor to enjoy some of the benefits of English forestry". The buyer would have the right to shoot deer while the public would still be able to access it, but only on foot.

Newland Parish Council raised no objection to the sale.