A DRUID yesterday joined the road protesters trying to stop work to cut down trees in St David's Wood, Blackwood.

Arthur Uther Pendragon - known as King Arthur - is giving his support to the people opposing the destruction of part of the wood, to make way for the £54 million Sirhowy Enterprise Way.

King Arthur, a Druid swordbearer who wears a ceremonial sword (he won the right to carry it in the High Court), also attended the Newbury bypass protest in the 1990s.

He is from the Loyal Arthurian Warband, which "fights for the environment and takes non-violent and direct action."

He told the Argus yesterday that, as a Druid, he felt it was his duty to do his best to protect the trees.

"My aim is to protect the environment from the ravages and greed of man," he said, adding that more Druids are expected to come to the site later.

Around eight to ten protesters are camping in the woods and have claimed squatters' rights.

They are putting up barricades to try to stop vehicles and are attempting to obstruct work on other parts of the site.

A spokesman for Costain Engineering and Construc-tion Ltd, which is building the road, says it is taking legal advice.

"We are carrying out work on other parts of the site. Safety is our paramount concern," he said.

"We are also working with Caerphilly council and our environment advisers." Caerphilly council says that the work is essential to create jobs on the Oakdale Business Park. The road is expected to open in spring, 2006.