Local residents are rallying support to encourage Herefordshire Council to reverse its decision to sell Backney Bridge picnic site.

Last week, a Public Notice appeared at Backney Bridge, near Sellack, announcing Herefordshire Council's intention to dispose of the site in line with the council's disposal policy, taken in light of funding reductions.

Gazette reader Jane Robinson wrote and appealed to other residents to put their objections in writing to Herefordshire Council's Estates Management Officer by June 12th.

This week many other local residents turned out to discuss the area's importance and urged Herefordshire Council to think again.

Philip Powell said: "I've been coming to the site for 40 years. It's a feature we can't close. The car park is always full of cars. We can't afford to lose this facility and the Council should keep it as it is."

Ruth Haines, who saw the last train going over Backney Bridge, said: "We come down here for Riding for the Disabled every year, and the children really love it."

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.