A FORMER environment minister launch­ed Labour's rural manifesto on a visit to the Dean – and promised England's forests will be protected if his party is in government after the election.

Huw Irranca-Davies also promised Forest campaigners HOOF (Hands Off Our Forests) 'an early meeting' with ministers to discuss issues such as community representation in the management of forests and the funding of forestry.

He was joined for the launch at Hopewell Colliery near Coleford by Labour's candidate in the Forest, Steve Parry-Hearn, members of the Forest Labour Party, HOOF and Labour's leader in the House of Lords Jan Royall.

She promised to be a "complete pain" to ministers on the issue of forests.

Mr Irranca-Davies said: "I'm here to reaffirm our commitment that we will keep our forests public as living, working entities for local people.

"We'll extend our public forests so more people can get access to them.

"If we get into government keep the pressure on us. Our doors will be open to you to hear what you want.

"Rural landscapes are not set in aspic, they are not some conservation area.

"They are living breathing entities where people live and work and bring up their families. We need good affordable housing whether for rent, purchase or shared ownership.

"We cannot empty our countryside of people or have them commuting in to work because that means you hollow them out.

"We need places where people can live and work and go to school, where the healthcare is good, where the transport works, where broadband and mobile coverage works."

He said that at this stage he could not go into detail on funding for forests as Labour has committed itself to a spending review based on no increases.

Labour did get some flak from HOOF with chairman Rich Daniels claiming the party "did not stand up in the Commons" and support the campaign against the proposed sell-off of forestry although Mr Irranca-Davies – backed by Baroness Royall – strongly refuted that.