DELIGHTED Pendle MP Gordon Prentice has offered the Government his "right to roam" bill as the vehicle for their legislation to open up four million acres of countryside to ramblers.

And Environment Minister Michael Meacher, who yesterday stunned the House of Commons by promising a statutory right of access to uncultivated private land, has promised to consider the option.

But government sources indicated that it was unlikely that the Pendle MP's Private Members Bill, due for second reading on March 26, would be used.

Ministers fear vested landowner interest in the House of Lords would sink the bill.

Mr Prentice said that if it was decided that his bill was not appropriate, he would take it to the Commons himself to lead the way and press the government to bring in its own bill in the Queen's Speech in November - after the voting rights of hereditary peers have been scrapped.

Mr Meacher said that the right for access would be on foot alone to mountains, moors, heaths and downs with walkers under a duty not to damage the land but landowners have accused the government of betrayal.

Mr Prentice said: "I am pleased. This is a lot better than many people expected. The government now agrees with me. I have offered my bill to Michael to make it into government legislation and he said he would go away and think about it.

"If they do not take up the bill I want to see a government measure in November. It is very important that we have early legislation and there is no foot dragging. The people of this country want action and they want it now."

Mr Prentice said he thought the government had tried to find a voluntary option but failed and saw the huge support among MPs, ministers and the public for his bill and decided to act.

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