THE leader of Trafford's Labour group, Cllr Andrew Western, was among the 1,000-plus 'green belt' campaigners who backed the demonstration on Flixton Fields on Saturday.

Cllr Western said he was impressed by the turnout, and he had a stirring message for the residents - 'don't give up'.

The residents - who have formed the Save Flixton Green Belt group - are battling to block town hall proposals to build houses on swathes of green belt land in Flixton as part of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework. .

Cllr Western said of the demonstration on Saturday: "I thought it was a fantastic show of support from the Flixton community, reflecting the strength of residents’ feeling.

"It was great to see people coming together to send one simple message: this land is the heart of the local community and it should not be removed from the green belt."

He added: "It’s a massive issue for local residents.

"This land was set aside for the people of Flixton by the old Urmston Urban District Council and has been rightly set aside as public greenspace for generations.

"It’s clear from the hundreds of local people who have contacted me that they want to preserve this cherished local facility for their children and grandchildren."

He said his message to the campaigners is: "Don’t give up.

"The consultation is open until January 16 and it’s really important now that any resident concerned about these plans gets their objection in before the deadline. Encourage friends and family to do the same, and send a strong message from the people of Flixton: Save Flixton green belt."

The land earmarked to be developed at Flixton Station includes the station and parts of William Wroe golf course.

Grade II-listed Flixton House and the playing fields, which are also in the green belt, will be declassified, but council leader Sean Anstee says both will be ‘protected’.