BOLTON West MP Julie Hilling has welcomed the decision to shelve plans to sell-off some of Britain’s forests.

Government ministers halted the immediate selloff 15 per cent of England’s publicly owned forests prior to public consultation.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has stated this decision does not change government plans to sell off 258,000 hectares of land owned by the Forestry Commission.

Ms Pilling said “While I welcome this move, sadly this is not the end to the situation. Ministers remain committed to selling off our forests and we must keep the pressure up on this issue.”

For information and to take part in the consultation, visit forestry.gov.uk/englandwoodlandsales.

The deadline for responses is April 21.