Ramblers in Oxfordshire are demanding talks with the Earl of Macclesfield over the right to roam across his land.

The Government has announced a statutory right-to-roam across four million acres of mountain, moor, heath, down and common land.

The statement by Environment Minister Michael Meacher stunned landowners and farmers, who expected him to announce extended access rights based on a voluntary principle.

The Earl of Macclesfield has been fighting ramblers who want access to open land on his estate surrounding Shirburn Castle, near Watlington.

There is a right-of-way across the 3,500-acre estate, but members of the Ramblers' Association are also demanding rights to roam on the down land. National vice-president Jack Ibbott, 78, of Upper Road, Kennington, said: "We hope this means Lord Macclesfield will now agree to meet us to discuss the issue.

"For years, the county council has tried to negotiate greater access to the estate but he has refused to negotiate."

Ramblers are holding a rally at Cowleaze Wood, next to Shirburn hills, on Sunday.

Lord Macclesfield, 55, said he would wait until the proposals became law before he considered discussing rights to roam on his estate. His family, whose name is Parker, has lived there for the past 275 years.

"For the past 10 years they have refused to acknowledge the damage that humans can do to all sorts of species including deer and red kites," he said.

"Discussions need to take place nationally to rationalise the footpath system but I don't see why ramblers can't stick to the right of way," he added.

Story date: Wednesday 10 March

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