CAMPAIGNERS are gearing up for a protest walk against the 'possible destruction of lovely countryside' in the south of the town.

The South Warrington Walk will give residents the chance to see green spaces in the area that will disappear, if the local plan preferred development option (PDO) proposals go ahead.

Sustainable South Warrington is inviting 'everyone who cares about the area' to join the short walk on September 9, which will begin at the Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden at 2pm.

As part of the resident-led campaign, posters and a route map have been organised.

Cllr Judith Wheeler (LD – Appleton) hailed residents for their efforts.

She added: "The walk is to remind residents that much of the landscape of Appleton, Stretton and Grappenhall could be dramatically changed and built upon in the next few years, if the council's initial drive for 24,000 more houses in Warrington goes ahead.

"I think people still don't realise the extent of the changes and the impact it will have.

"I cycled up Green Lane to Appleton Thorn on Sunday – there were sheep and cows in one of the fields and it breaks my heart to think that all this could soon be houses."

There was widespread public anger over the local plan PDO, which proposed 24,000 new homes in the borough over the next two decades, including 9,000 on the green belt.

The council targeted getting the draft out in autumn at the earliest – but it is now anticipated to be published just before the turn of the year, prior to a further public consultation in early 2019.