The plans would see the woodland gain the status of a regional park, one below the level of national park.

Local authorities will meet next week to discuss the proposals which would also see a single organisation to oversee its management.

A conference for the authorities and nature groups on the future for the Sherwood area takes place on Tuesday.

Gareth Broome, conservation team manager at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "People have been saying something should be done about it for years.

"This conference is actually getting things moving and gives people the chance to look at it properly."