FURIOUS walkers have rapped a decision not to make the South Downs a national park.

They claim the move by the commission will put some of Mid Sussex's most beautiful countryside at risk. Thousands of walkers, riders and cyclists visit the downs every year to see landmarks including Ditchling Beacon, Wolstonbury Hill and the Jack and Jill windmills at Clayton. Campaigners wanted the Downs to be given National Park status to protect it. But the decision by the Countryside Commission to recommend the Downs be designated an area of outstanding natural beauty and run by a conservation board instead has sparked outrage. John Cribb, chairman of the Mid Sussex branch of the Ramblers' Association, said he was bitterly disappointed by the news. He said: "Giving the Downs national park status would have given it a great deal of security. "Checks have to constantly be made against any proposed developments or intensive farming in the area and I don't see how the proposed new scheme can do a lot towards this. "It is very sad that the protection of the Downs for future generations has not been made more safe. "We will be keeping a close eye on the situation and will be watching how it develops."

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