The land is being offered on the market for �500,000

Shropshire Wildlife Trust says it is interested in buying 126 acres of the historic landmark to keep it open to county residents.

But to do so it needs to raise �500,000, the price the land being offered by current owner Peter Holt.

The trust says it is planning a meeting with Wrekin MP Peter Bradley and other interested parties to discuss its bid.

John Hughes, development manager at the trust which already owns the Ercall, part of the same Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), said it was too good an opportunity to miss.

The concern would be that somebody got it who restricted people's access or exploited it just because of its natural beauty John Hughes, Shropshire Wildlife Trust

"This is extremely good news for the Wrekin and we are pretty optimistic, we weren't planning to buy it but it has suddenly come up," he said.

"We are talking to other organisations and key people within the community, there's a distinct feeling somebody needs to come forward who has some background of owning and managing land.

"If we buy anything we have to apply to the Lottery who will independently value the land, if that is lower than the asking price we will have to raise the rest ourselves."

He said he was waiting for information on the sale to take to the trustees.

No serious bids

"The concern would be that somebody got it who restricted people's access or exploited it just because of its natural beauty," he said.

"We wouldn't want that to happen, ask anyone around here, the Wrekin belongs to the people of Shropshire."

Estate agents FPD Savills said they had received a lot of interest in the two days the land had been on sale but said there were currently no serious bids.

A spokesman said: " We have had a number of enquiries from investors and locals. I think they mainly want to own it."