THE Forest Model Village, closed since last year's Christmas season after failing to secure a long-term lease at Lydney Park Estate, may be moving to Longhope.

A planning application is being lodged for the Model Village and additional activity facilities to occupy a four acre site – twice its present size – at the Dick Whittington Farm Park.

While legalities are negotiated the unique models depicting working life in a Forest community are in secure storage.

"This is a long term project and we are probably looking at 18 months or two years to get it fully up and running," said farm park owner Chris Turney.

"The owner of the models, Barry Blatch, has been in talks with us and we have offered the space to realise the vision he has for the future of the attraction.

"There are lots of advantages, especially the fact we are on a main route into the forest and highly accessible. There is plenty of scope here to drive the project forward."

Mr Turney said there would be clear benefits for the village and the farm park in the scheme, including sharing the park's on-site restaurant.

He said the park and its animals are looking forward to half term and the school summer holidays, and they have a surprise new arrival this year – an albino joey has been born to one of the resident wallabies.