PROTESTORS shinned up an ancient oak in Orwell Country Park to mark the official launch of the Save Orwell Country Park Campaign.The oak tree was covered with yellow ribbons as groups and individuals gathered at the park to help safeguard it against the potential threat of a road being built through it.

By Victoria Knowles

PROTESTORS shinned up an ancient oak in Orwell Country Park to mark the official launch of the Save Orwell Country Park Campaign.

The oak tree was covered with yellow ribbons as groups and individuals gathered at the park to help safeguard it against the potential threat of a road being built through it.

People have been asked to sign petitions to protect the park, both in the park itself and at stands through out Ipswich.

The aim is to form a giant paper chain of petitions which will stretch the entire length of the proposed East Bank Link Road development.

Geoff Sinclair, spokesman for the campaign said; "More than 250,000 visits are made to the park each year. People visit it because of the wonderful walks, spectacular views of the estuary, abundant wildlife and the close proximity to their homes.

"Ipswich Borough Council should be investing in measures to make the park better for people rather than reducing its ecological and recreational value."

The road was initially proposed to help create a new edge of town retail park. Part of the campaign will be to challenge the need for more out of town shopping and it will focus on the need to look at the long term transport requirements of Ipswich.