Villagers are being urged to back plans to turn acres of land into a park.

Public consultation on future developments in Hellingly is being carried out by Wealden District Council.

Thousands of homes have been earmarked for several sites around the area, including the park, but members of the Hellingly Community Park Trust believe a public show of support will retain the land, which surrounds Hellingly Hospital, for community use.

They hope to restore the woodland around the site, build football pitches and create wildlife sites.

Trust vice-chairman Gill Hesselgrave said: "It's a very attractive site.

"Hellingly and Hailsham have very few public open spaces.

"We feel that when they put this big development into the area and have to provide open spaces it seems a good idea to use this one rather than build one."

The trust was formed by residents and councillors from Hellingly and nearby Hailsham.

More than 20 acres of parkland surround hospital buildings which dot the site.

Trust members hope residents will put their support in writing to the district council offices in Hailsham.

The consultation period, until February 28, forms part of the Wealden Local Plan Review.

Further information about development proposals for Hellingly can be obtained on February 7 at The Quintins shopping centre, Hailsham, between 9am and 4pm or Hellingly Village Hall on the same day at 7pm.

The trust will return to The Quintins on February 8 between 9am and 4pm.

Two open meetings will be held at Hailsham Community College and Hellingly Village Hall on February 10 and February 14, both at 7.30pm.