Hundreds of people have staged a protest on land near a British Iron Age hill fort in a bid to stop it being sold and keep it in public ownership. Worthing Council has already said it has suspended the sale and will also review the decision to sell farmland near Cissbury Ring, in West Sussex (England). The council said the review was because of public concern about the site.
     The South Downs Society said it was a famous archaeological site that needed to remain in public ownership. The group, Stop the Cissbury Sell-Off (SCSO), said about 400 people gathered for the rally and walked across the land in question, letting off flares. SCSO spokesman Trevor Hodgson said there was strong feeling and a 'massive turnout' by people who had vowed to fight on until the land was fully protected for generations to come.
     Worthing Council said the decision to sell two parcels of agricultural land, 57 and 132 acres in size, was taken following the death of the former tenant farmer. The council said the review would consider fresh options and talks would be held with the South Downs Joint Committee and the National Trust. Spokesman for the South Downs Society, Steve Ankers, welcomed the move but called for a permanent halt to the sale. He said: "It is essential that this important site remains in public ownership. Cissbury Ring cannot survive properly on its own." He added: "If it was sold, it could end up being fenced off into unsightly paddocks with no access for the public."

Source: BBC News (14 November 2009)