The campaign against the forest sell-off gained widespread support

Campaigners are urging the Bishop of Liverpool to visit the Lake District, so he can see the area’s forests at first hand.

Save Lakeland’s Forests and Friends of the Lake District said the bishop and his Independent Panel on Forestry should come and see the area’s wildlife and experience the attractions of the Lake District’s public woodlands.

The two groups are also encouraging members of the public to make their views known to the panel, which was set up by Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman in the wake of the huge public outcry at plans to sell off public forests in England.

The panel, which includes Ramblers chief executive Tom Franklin, has begun a series of visits and was in the Forest of Dean earlier this week. It plans to take in Northumberland, Kent and London in its first round of meetings with forest users.

But Save Lakeland’s Forests said it is vital the bishop and his team come to Cumbria to canvass views in one of England’s most popular tourist destinations for outdoors enthusiasts.

Jack Ellerby of Friends of the Lake District said: “People in the Lake District showed how much the public forests here mean to them.

“Our forests are used by a very large number of local people and visitors. They must have an opportunity to make their views known to the panel and it’s important that members of the panel also get the chance to see different types of public forests.

“I would therefore urge the panel to make time for a visit to the Lake District’s forests over the summer including talking to wildlife experts, walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders in this area.”

The panel is inviting views from interested parties, with a closing date for submissions of 31 July. The Lake District campaigners said it is important forest users’ opinions are heard.

Lord Clark of Windermere, a former chairman of the Forestry Commission, added: “The Government’s plans to sell off our public forests provoked a huge outcry earlier this year. However, it would be wrong to believe these forests are now safe.

“If you care about our public forests, walk your dogs in these woods, ride a mountain bike on one of the trails, enjoy having the chance to see the Lake District ospreys, the recently reintroduced red kites or our remaining red squirrels it’s important to let this panel know how important our public forests are to you.

“The panel need to be reminded that people in this country feel passionately about the public forests and want to maintain them for future generations to be able to enjoy.”

Members of the public can send their views by email or by post at: Defra, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.