A MAJOR appeal to save a huge swathe of ancient Gwent woodland attracted the support of top Welsh TV personality Sian Lloyd.

The ITV weather presenter and veteran of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here is backing a bid by the Woodland Trust to buy 900 acres of Wentwood Forest, near Caerwent.

Two weeks ago the trust launched its Save Wentwood Forest Campaign.

It wants to buy the woodland, which is up for sale on the open market, and is asking people to pledge money to help raise £100,000 towards the cost.

The charity fears the woodland - nearly a third of Wentwood Forest - could be lost forever if it is sold to a commercial forestry company.

It's a claim strongly denied by John Clegg and Company, the agents handling the sale.

As reported this week, the trust says it has been overwhelmed with public support for the campaign - it has so far received £35,000 worth of public pledges.

Politicians including South East Wales AM Mike German, Newport West MP Paul Flynn and Newport East AM John Griffiths signalled their support, and the campaign received a further boost this week as TV personality Sian Lloyd threw her hat into the ring.

She said: "I'm keen to support the campaign because Wentwood is the largest ancient woodland in Wales, and therefore a hugely important part of our natural heritage. It would be a tragedy if this wonderful ancient forest was further damaged by clear-felling, and the replanting of more conifers."

Rory Francis, spokesman for the Woodland Trust in Wales, said he was delighted to win the support of Ms Lloyd, the partner of Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Lembit Opik.

He added: "Progess so far has been excellent. There is still a long way to go, but we are very optimistic.

"The agent is aware we are very serious about our bid."

* The trust already has £500,000 set aside for the purchase.

* £100,000 is needed from public pledges to demonstrate local support and unlock the door to £650,000 in government and lottery grants.

* The trust is aiming to amass £1.5 million, which should be enough to buy the land and start its regeneration.