A council has announced its plans to buy and save a patch of ancient woodland but needs donations from residents to do so.

Sevenoaks Town Council is asking people for their support to help purchase Longspring Woods near Oak Lane.

The 14-acre woodland is located within the green belt and is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

It is connected to the Sevenoaks Common by old footpaths and ancient trackways leading from the town out into the open countryside beyond the A21 Sevenoaks Bypass.

Containing oak and beech trees, as well as traditional chestnut coppices, the land is believed to be at least 400 years old.

In December the council agreed to list Longspring Woods as an Asset of Community Value.

It has now been put up for sale for £185,000. An extra £25,500 is needed to go towards capital works – including improving the parking area, adding bins and repairing boundaries.

The council plans to link the woodland with Sevenoaks Common to extend walking and cycling routes.

Leader of the council and chair of the finance and general purposes committee, Cllr Tony Clayton said: “We believe this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a really attractive piece of woodland to add to our common and protect it for future generations.

“Sevenoaks Town Council only has income from residents and developer levies on new development in the town.

“We’ve got an ambitious capital program to improve the town to which most of our existing money is committed.

“But we have built up a fund of about £100,000 devoted to acquiring and improving green spaces in the town.

“To buy Longspring Woods will require another £100,000. We don’t have time to apply for any official grants.

“That’s why we are asking residents to help us make this happen.”

The council has released a Feasibility Study, which includes details about reconservation, access, educational use and coppicing.

All will be discussed at a Town Council meeting on Monday, February 26.

Residents and local businesses are being asked to donate or provide Help in Kind by completing a Pledge Form by Friday, February 23.

You can do so by clicking here.

Many of the green spaces in the area were given to the town by local people over the last three centuries.

These include the Vine, Hollybush Recreational Ground, Kippington Meadow, the Allotments and the Upper High Street gardens.