THE GWENT Wildlife Trust has launched an emergency appeal to raise £300,000 in just a fortnight

The Trust is desperate to secure 49 acres of Barecroft Common near Magor which goes under the hammer at auction in Caldicot on Thursday, April 26.

The land is being sold in five lots.

Trust chief executive Tom Clarke said: "This is an amazing opportunity – these fields are adjacent to our flagship Magor Marsh nature reserve and some of them are the last and best peatland habitat on the Gwent Levels."

The area has never been used for agriculture which has allowed some rare species of plants to flourish.

Mr Clarke said: "One of the lots is a stunning example of botanically-rich marshy grassland.

"It is an enormous sum of money and we are hopeful of saving as much of it as we can.

"We have launched this appeal because there is no other money with which to buy and run this special land.

"We have to do this now so we can protect the last vestiges of this important peatland habitat for future generations."

The Trust is asking members of the public to donate to the appeal as well as applying for grants.

Donations can be made online at the Trust's website, www. gwentwildlife.org or by calling 01600 740600 to pay by debit or credit card.

Cheques, made payable to Gwent Wildlife Trust, can be sent to Freepost NE218, Seddon House, Dingestow NP25 4ZX.

The auction takes place at Dewstow Golf Club, Caldicot on Thursday, April 27 at 7pm. The auctioneers are Newland, Rennie, Wilkins.