Almost 90 prominent figures, like singer Annie Lennox and the Archbishop of Canterbury, have signed a letter claiming it would be a "misjudged and short-sighted" move.

The list also includes artist Tracey Emin, model Lily Cole, chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood.

The letter from the Save England's Forests campaign said a bill being debated in Parliament would allow the Government to sell the entire public forest estate on the open market.
It also expressed fears that, over time, access to currently public woodland would become limited and its protection eroded.

The campaigners wrote: "We are an island nation yet more people escape to the forest than to the seaside.

"Our forests nurture countless species of native plants and wildlife.

"We have relied on them since time immemorial yet we are only a heartbeat in their history.

"We, the undersigned, believe it unconscionable that future generations will no longer enjoy the guarantee of a public forest estate."
The letter calls on the Government to suspend any significant sales "until the public has been fully consulted".

It adds: "We expect our leaders to engage in real dialogue with communities throughout the country to create a sustainable future for our public woods and forests."

The campaign was launched in response to the Government's announcement last year that it was consulting on "new ownership options" for the public forest estate.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has insisted there are no plans to sell nature reserves.

She promised community groups and charities would play a greater role in protecting important habitats.

The state currently owns 18% of forests and woodland in England but spending cuts could result in them being sold off or given away.