Hundreds of demonstrators marched through a quiet country lane in a battle to save ancient woodland from the bulldozers.

Titnore Woods, on the outskirts of Worthing, face destruction when the winding Titnore Lane is straightened to provide access to a planned 850-home housing and industrial estate.

More than 250 protesters, armed with placards and whistles, gathered at the site for a noisy but peaceful demonstration in driving rain yesterday.

The action drew a large police presence as officers sealed off the lane at each end to prevent the marchers from spilling out onto the main A259 and A27 roads.

Private security teams guarded the entrances to Northbrook College.

The marchers carried banners calling for any new homes in Worthing to be built at other sites including Teville Gate in the town centre.

Several men at the front of the march jostled with police as the group was turned back from the A27 junction.

John Hughes, 59, of Welland Road, Worthing, said: "I was absolutely amazed with the turnout. This has sent a very clear message to the politicians locally that this development simply cannot go ahead.

"I knew there was a depth of feeling about these proposals but never expected so many people to turn out in the wind and rain."

Lucy Colkett, of Wallace Avenue, Worthing, who is a member of the town's Green Party said she did not mind getting drenched to take part in the march.

She added: "I think it will be the only the first of several such demonstrations."

Natalie Cropper, secretary of the Worthing Society, who took part in the march, said: "These woods are irreplaceable and there are other places where new homes could be built.

"I think the letter the society has sent to Worthing Borough Council protesting at any development in this area is the longest we have written since the society was formed in 1973.

"There must have been between 200 and 300 people there and it is encouraging that the public feel so strongly about this threat to the woodland."