A VILLAGE is rallying to save a woodland den from being demolished.

Thousands have come together to try and deter The Wildlife Trust from tearing down the forest camp built by 71-year-old Danny Smith in Thibet Woods, Wildmoor Heath, Sandhurst.

Danny, from Wellington Road, began putting together the shelter more than 18 months ago as a distraction from a relative’s illness.

His daughter Shannen Gale told the News: “My dad goes there to walk the dogs and started to build a den one day. He collected branches that had broken off trees and added a bit more every day.

“It just grew from there and became famous in the area. Everyone started visiting and leaving notes on it to say how much they loved it.

“My dad has always been an outdoorsy person. He used to be in the Parachute Regiment and has eight kids so is used to making something out of nothing.

“It became something for the grandkids and my husband Steven and mother Lynne started to help him as well and it just became this thing we started doing.

“We all used it over the summer but then a week or so ago there was a letter stuck on it from The Wildlife Trust, which said it breached its health and safety regulations and if anyone were to injure themselves, it wouldn’t be covered by their insurance.

“We suggested putting a sign on it to tell people that it’s at their own risk but it was a flat-out no. However, I’ve heard that they should have first done a risk assessment and told us about it, which they didn’t do.

“They have said to us they will be pulling it down, there’s no two ways about it.

“They initially said they would be tearing it down on Thursday (March 9) but then they were worried about people protesting so they have now just said it will be some time this month but are refusing to tell us when.” Wendy Tobitt, from the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), said: “Our staff met with Shannen Gale and her father, Danny Smith, on Thursday 2 March at the den they’ve made on Wildmoor Heath.

“We discussed the situation so they are now aware of the Wildlife Trust’s position as landowner and our responsibilities.

“As the landowner BBOWT is responsible for the safety of everyone who visits the area. We can all agree that it would be awful if anyone, especially a child, injured themselves on any part of the tree house structure. We don’t want anyone to get hurt.

“Unfortunately, putting up warning signs does not remove any of our legal responsibilities. If somebody falls off it, then we are responsible.

“We are continuing to discuss the situation with Mr Smith to reach a satisfactory conclusion. Unfortunately, we have to remove the structure and we will do this in the next couple of weeks.

“We will leave the branches so that kids can build their own dens at ground level.

“All of us at the Wildlife Trust understand the importance of playing outside in wild areas like Wildmoor, and we would love to be able to keep the amazing structure that’s been built. “Unfortunately, we do not think that it can be made safe and have suggested that it could be built at a different location.”

“The Wildlife Trust does so much work to protect these special areas and encourage children to play in them and learn about the environment, but we have to make sure that where they play is as safe as possible.”

To sign the petition visit you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-our-camp