MORE than 120 cyclists of all ages rallied round in the Forest to protest at the government's alleged sell-off of the publicly owned woodlands.

The rally was organised by Hands Off Our Forest (HOOF) campaigner, Barbara French who said: "It is so important we make the public aware of this very real threat to the Forest of Dean and indeed all of England's forests, as cyclists and horse riders will be among the worst hit by any privatisation."

Rich Daniels, chair of HOOF told the cyclists that the Public Bodies Bill (clauses 17–19) due to be discussed in the Lords next week will give future government ministers, of whatever party, the power to sell off forests to private developers.

He added that the Forest was owned by the state and therefore owned by all of us – it was not the government's to sell, he said.

"The present management, the Forestry Commission, do a good job at a cost of only 30p per person per year for all of England's forests."

The cycle rally began at 12 noon at Pedalabikeaway, who gave permission to use the cycle centre. After a short cycle to Cannop, the cyclists returned to where BBC News' Jeremy Cook (from Lydney) interviewed some of those taking part for the evening TV national news bulletins.