PRINCE Charles has backed a campaign to save a school farm from closure.

The prince has sent a letter to the Friends of Astor of Hever School Farm - a group made up of parents and members of the community - stating his support for school farms in Kent.

He is also writing to Astor of Hever Community School's head teacher, Martin Carroll, finding out the reason the school plans to sell off the land the farm is on, and offering help by putting the school in touch with his own charities.

The letter, from Elizabeth Buchanan, assistant private secretary to HRH the Prince of Wales, said Prince Charles was in support of all Kent's school farms, and has visited a number of them.

Gill Collins, spokeswoman for the Friends, said: "We are delighted. We know that Prince Charles is a strong supporter of school farms."

The letter was sent in response to members of the school's Young Farmer's Club, who wrote to the prince asking for his support.

Others who have backed the campaign include Lord Astor of Hever and Lord Kingsdown, president of the Kent County Agricultural Society and a former Governor of the Bank of England.

Mrs Collins said: "They feel strongly about Young Farmers' Clubs and school farms in Kent in particular. They have written straight to the school."

Norman Kemp, chairman of the Friends, said supporters of the campaign had written letters to opinion formers in Kent, including Kent County Council, school governors, the head teacher and MPs.

Mr Kemp said: "A number of people have written to Prince Charles with the news about the farm and I know he has replied to a number of people. There is a huge groundswell of support."

The Friends presented a petition of about 1,600 signatures to Cllr Paul Carter, KCC cabinet member for education standards and pupil services, before a meeting of the full council on Thursday.

Nick Leggat, president of the Kent Federation of Young Farmers Clubs handed the petition over.

He said: "It is very important that we hang onto this school farm. It's not necessarily to get people into farming; it gives the students a sense of responsibility, because they are looking after the animals, and they're going to be entertained and not hanging about in the streets.”

Mr Kemp added: "We want to make sure the issues are fleshed out in a public forum, because clearly the farm touches the hearts of many. There is a great deal of affection in the wider community for the farm."

School governor Tim Cooper also joined in the demonstration, carrying a placard.

He said Kent LEA had told the school they would fund £600,000 of the £1m needed to fund improvements, but the school would have to provide the other £400,000.

It was suggested to the school the only way to raise the cash was by selling the land, said Mr Cooper.

He said: "All of the governors at Astor don't really want to close the farm, but it has been given to them as the only alternative to get the funding to get the school hall and things the school needs to bring it into the 21st century."

Cllr David Naghi (Lib Dem, East), who is a member of the Friends, said: "This farm is very important to the people of that school and the surrounding area. We don't want the farm closed and sold."

Proposals to retain some sort of a farm at Astor were on the table at a meeting of the school governors on Thursday night.

The school's Young Farmer's Club had put forward suggestions to move some farm buildings and create a new yard on land not earmarked for sale.

The meeting was also due to consider a letter from Cllr Paul Carter, which also suggested alternatives.

Gill Collins, spokeswoman for the Friends of Astor of Hever School Farm, said: "I think the council are now prepared to listen. Mr Carter is keen the school retains some form of educational resource for the land, so that is a step forward.

"But we still haven't had any formal reply as to whether the farm is closing or not."