DOZENS of protesters vented their dismay at Somerset County Council’s decision to put parts of the Quantock Hills up for sale.

Keen walkers and environmentalists organised a demonstration from Taunton’s Vivary Park to County Hall in a bid to reverse the decision.

The decision to put Great Wood, Thorncombe Hill and Custom Common up for sale was announced last week, with council chiefs pledging to reinvest the cash into the region’s schools and roads.

But activists have expressed concerns over the “lack of public consultation,” with many believing these Somerset treasures need to be preserved for generations.

Harry Procter, who organised yesterday's (December 22) demo, told the County Gazette: “I am concerned about that they have gone about it with no public consultation. We found out about it by chance on TV.

“To release details like this at Christmas when nobody is really paying attention is sneaky.”

Diana Osborn, who regularly walks as part of a group with friends on the hills, echoed Mr Procter’s concerns.

She added: “I’m concerned that there was no public consultation and it seemed to come out in secret.

“I feel very strongly that the Quantocks belong to everybody and they should be preserved for future generations.”

However, Cllr David Huxtable, who is in charge of the sell-off, has reassured protesters that they “won’t even notice the difference” if the land was sold.

“I have spoken to several of them. I think there is a misunderstanding that we own all of the Quantocks, when in fact a lot of it is privately owned,” he told the County Gazette.

“When they are sold they won’t notice the difference, whoever buys it can’t go and put a fence up around it.”

Cllr Huxtable pointed out that the council had sold and given away £120million worth of assets this year.