OVER 3,000 people have so far signed a petition urging the Countryside Agency to grant Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status to the Forest of Dean.

Organised by the recently formed pressure group 'Friends of the Forest', the petition is expected to get a major boost at a series of "road shows" with displays at the libraries in Cinderford, Coleford and Lydney.

Colin Smith, chairman of the Friends, said this week: "The current survey work of our wildlife and their habitats as well as our archaeology and industrial heritage, combined with the Dean by Definition, are all funded by the Countryside Agency's Integrated Rural Development project and reinforce the unique nature of the Forest of Dean.

"But it is useless unless our landscape is protected in planning from inappropriate development."

Mr Smith said the recent felling of Holly Hill Wood, Cinderford to create a lorry park was an example of why AONB status was needed.

"If we had been designated AONB at the time of the planning application it would have triggered an environmental impact assessment which, I believe, would have recommended finding a more appropriate site for the lorry park and the retention of the oak woodland for future generations," he said.