Kingsmead Field should be registered a village green to restore public trust in the council, it was announced last night.

Canterbury city councillors backed calls for the executive to register the once-threatened open space for protected status.

The recommendation, tabled by Lib Dem leader Alex Perkins, received cross-party support and will be debated tonight by executive members.

He said the council registering Kingsmead Field as a village green would show they have listened to the public after protests at plans to sell off the land and added it would remove any doubts over its future.

Members admitted the council had lost support of the public and agreed the gesture could be made to mend the rift.

An application for village green status is due to be determined later this year but the executive can speed up the process if they voluntarily self-register the field.

The idea was raised during talks on the regeneration of Kingsmead which inlcudes a £5.5 million refurbishment to the leisure centre, multiplex cinema and bigger Sainsbury's store.

Members said the costs could be covered by capital recepits and the projected sale of the Old Coach Park site freeing up the field from any development.

Campaigners of the Save Kingsmead Field group spoke before the debate to reiterate the importance of open space which was also agreed by councillors.

The regeneration was described as a "fabulous opportunity" for Canterbury during last night's overview meeting.