I DON'T normally write to newspapers but feel that Gloucestershire County Council's determination to sell the Wilderness Centre is so very short-sighted.

The Wilderness Centre is an excellent place for children to explore nature, to hunt for frogspawn, explore woodland, run in a wildflower meadow with butterflies – a habitat that is fast disappearing from our countryside.

It is an opportunity for children to spend time away from their parents (usually for the first time) in an environment that is safe. It takes children away from their computers, away from television and out into the fresh air.

It gives vulnerable children positive opportunities and experiences they might never have.

If the council is intent on selling this important environmental asset to the highest bidder it will be lost for ever.

The community group seeking to run the centre appears to have the necessary support and skills.

Now is the time for the people of Gloucestershire to stop this sale and to back the Wilderness Project to save the centre for our children and our grandchildren.

Let's all ask our county councillors to look to the future and reverse the Cabinet decision to sell the centre.

– Yvonne Nason, Milkwall.