HALF A MILLION pounds needs to be raised by the end of the month in order to save a section of Upton Heath from being sold off.

Vikki Slade, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole and the Dorset Wildlife Trust have issued a rallying public call for support as the land, currently privately owned by a third party, is heading for auction.

110 acres of heathland in Poole, with historical planning permission for mineral extraction, is due to go up for public auction April 29 by Town & Country Property Auctioneers.