The campaign to protect Castle Park in Bristol from development with 'town green' status has found support from young people who use the park.

A woman collecting signatures in the park for a petition said she approached a group of youngsters, described as 'hoodies', and asked for their support.

The final day of the inquiry yesterday into the town green application, heard that she was surprised by the result as the youngsters seemed to welcome the chance to have their say.

According to Daniel Bennett, lawyer for applicant Mary Bannerman, the young people said: "We have to have this open space. This is our playground."

Mr Bennett was explaining how the park was widely used by people for various recreational activities and had been for many years.

He was summing up at the Council House, in College Green, at a hearing resumed from before Christmas.

In early December the inquiry, before independent inspector Vivian Chapman, heard from barristers for the city council and developer Deeley Freed.

They are opposing the application for town green status for the St Mary le Port end of the park, opposite Corn Street and St Nicholas Markets. Whether the application is granted will affect if development there can go ahead.

Mrs Bannerman of Redcliffe is leading the fight to stop the council and Deeley Freed.

They want to knock down the disused Lloyds Bank and Norwich Union buildings and put up shops and offices on the Wine Street site.

But protesters say the scheme would mean an unacceptable amount of green space would be sacrificed.

Mrs Bannerman's application could see development of any green space banned and mean the entire site, including the derelict buildings, could stay as it is for years.

With the formal proceedings over, Mr Chapman adjourned yesterday while he decides on what course of action to recommend.

The council, which makes the final decision in its role as the registration authority, is unlikely to differ from the inspector's recommendations, despite opposing the application as the landowner.