CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a field in Horfield from development have been told there is a "strong chance" it will not be sold off by Bristol City Council.

People who use Wellington Hill playing field have received a clear signal that the open space could avoid the axe as part of the council's plans to dispose of 90 acres of parkland across the city.

Although no final decisions have been made, youth groups who use the land have been praised for their "intelligent lobbying" to protect the field next to Horfield Common.

Gary Hopkins, the city councillor in charge of the parkland sell-off, said there was a strong chance the field would be spared because the council had not been aware of the number of youngsters regularly playing on it.

The field, which is bordered by Wellington Hill, Church Road, Kellaway Avenue and St Leonard's Road, is used by Horfield Young People's Club, Manor Farm Boys' Club, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides, Brownies, Rainbows, a play group and a church group. Mr Hopkins said: "They (the campaigners) had intelligent reasons as to why we might not proceed with it.

"There's a difference between shouting 'don't sell our land' and providing reasons why it should be reconsidered.

"We've been out there and spoken to people on the ground and there has been intelligent lobbying from youth groups and Scout groups.

"One of the things we've got to look at is the management of the open spaces and what the usage is going to be.

"If you've got church youth groups and Scout groups giving us the usage and saying how they would help support the field in the future, clearly that's got to help."

The city council plans to sell off "low value" land as part of a project to improve nearly 200 parks and open spaces across the city over the next 20 years.

The proposals were published as part of the council's Area Green Space Plan in June and a five-month consultation on the project ended last week.

In December, the council will draw up a list of sites that could be sold off then the public will be asked which areas they would like to see improved.

Geoff Stock, who co-founded Horfield Young People's Club in 1975, was pleased that campaigners had been given a strong indication that the field would be saved.

He handed in a 341-named petition against the sale at the Council House last week.

Mr Stock said: "A lot of us have worked very long and hard on this and it would mean everything to our youngsters if the field was protected."