OSCAR-WINNING actress Dame Judi Dench is backing the campaign to safeguard a huge swathe of Gwent woodland.

The veteran actress is supporting the Woodland Trust in its bid to buy 900 acres of Wentwood Forest near Caerwent, which has come up for sale on the open market.

The trust launched its Save Wentwood Forest Campaign four weeks ago. It is asking people to pledge money to help raise £100,000 towards the estimated £1.5 million cost of buying the woodland.

The charity fears the land - nearly a third of Wentwood Forest - could be lost forever if it is sold to a commercial forestry company. It's a claim denied by John Clegg and Company, the agents handling the sale.

Dame Judi said: "It would be a national tragedy if the unique characteristics of this ancient site were lost forever.

"Wentwood Forest is home to rare species such as the dormouse, and there are more than 75 species of birds and 23 species of native butterflies recorded in the area, as well as wild daffodil and wood anemone.

"All these plants and animals are struggling to survive. This is our last chance to protect Wentwood Forest and restore it to its former beauty."

Politicians including South East Wales AM Mike German, Newport West MP Paul Flynn and Newport East AM John Griffiths have signalled their support for the campaign as well as TV personality Sian Lloyd.

Last week the Argus reported how the trust must meet a final deadline of noon on July 14 in order to be in the running - that is when bids for the woodland must be submitted.

The trust has already identified £500,000 in funds but needs a further £100,000 through public pledges which will help access government and lottery grants adding up to a possible £650,000.

A further £250,000 will come from companies, trusts and other grants.

The £1.5 million total should also fund the first phase of the forest's regeneration.