Villagers are fighting plans by a charity to clear a field in Ditchling which they say has become a wildlife haven.

Residents living near the area of brambles and hedges fear the proposed work will turn the patch of land into a suburban lawn.

They insist the three-acre field, close to Southview, should remain untouched as it provides a home to a huge variety of birds, butterflies and plants, including orchids and baby oak trees.

Letters have been sent to residents by the trustees of the Royal Cottage Homes for Watermen, which owns the field.

The London-based charity proposes to remove brambles and ragwort and prune the hedges before the nesting season begins in March.

It has commissioned a local contractor to carry out the work later this month.

Jennifer Warboys, 61, of Southview, said: "It's a marvellous wildlife area which has not been touched for more than 20 years.

"I have counted 60 types of birds out there and in summer it's full of moths, butterflies and dragonflies.

"If they come and clear away the brambles and trim the hedges, they will ruin it. They say they want to clear a way to the fields behind for everyone to enjoy.

"But how can you enjoy the environment if all the wildlife has been displaced?"

Julie Lewis, 35, said: "The wildlife is amazing. I have travelled throughout England and I don't know another field like it.

"When you walk through it in summer it's absolutely buzzing with life. It should be left alone."

Sue Joseph, 54, of Southview, said: "It may be a mess to some people but I think it's beautiful.

"I am worried they are going to turn it into a lawn because they think it's untidy. If they clear it, nothing will grow there. There won't be any birds or flowers.

"At the root of my concern is that they want to tidy it up in order to sell it."

The villagers have contacted Sussex Wildlife Trust, which have written a letter to the charity urging it to be responsible when clearing away the brambles and hedges.

Dr Tony Whitbread, head of conservation at the trust, said: "There is a problem with too much cleanliness in the countryside and people are worried about rural areas being turned into suburbia.

"This is a meadow which sounds like it's been a bit neglected and could degrade if left to get out of hand. But it could be damaged if it's tidied up too much.

"I don't think the charity is an irresponsible landowner and I suggest they clear a little bit each year rather than the whole lot at once. They should leave a patchwork of shrubs and bushes. It's about getting the balance right.

"The other problem is ragwort. That needs to be removed but it's better to get friendly local people to pull it out by hand rather than spraying it."

Colin Middlemiss, clerk to the charity's trustees, said: "The field is not a nature reserve, it has just been allowed to grow partly wild. The area has a severe ragwort problem which we have a legal obligation to clear.

"We have taken expert advice and unfortunately the problem is too advanced to remove the ragwort by hand. We have no option but to clear the entire field.

"We will also trim the hedgerows and plan to do this before the nesting season begins."