Walkers gather at the Sussex site

More than 100 walkers gathered to voice their concerns on forestry access.

The ramblers joined an 8km (5-mile) walk in Friston Forest in East Sussex on Saturday after filling in paper ‘leaves’ with their wishes and fears for England’s woodlands.

Campaigners organised the meeting to defend the public’s right to enjoy walking and riding in woods currently owned by the Forestry Commission and to highlight problems in land recently sold off by the commission.

Combers Wood near Crawley, they said, is now part of a private golf course, and walkers and riders also face access problems at Cheriton Wood on the Hampshire-Sussex boundary; Sparrwood Hangar in West Sussex; Batts Wood, Mayfield, East Sussex, and Oak Wood, Beckley, East Sussex, which organisers said ‘has become a toy for private hunters’.

Members of Brighton-based Action for Access joined Ramblers Sussex members in the event.

Campaigners take part in the walk

A spokesperson said: “All over Sussex ‘private’ signs have replaced welcome ones.”

The paper leaves will be sent to the Independent Panel on Forestry set up by the Government following the outcry about plans to sell off woodland and forests in England.

Friston Forest has been set out by the Forestry Commission to be accessible to walkers, cyclists, horse-riders and wheelchair users, access which campaigners said will be lost if land is sold off.