A precious woodland site may be preserved for future generations - thanks to the intervention of Caterham School.
The 110-acre Old Park Woods, near the spectacular viewpoint at Gravelly Hill, has been on sale for £500,000 "for timber harvesting opportunities."
Nearby residents have successfully fought off a series of proposed developments there previously, dating back about 30 years.
But a statement issued this morning by Tom Charlesworth, on behalf of the school's trustees, said: "Our offer to purchase Old Park Woods has been accepted by the vendors, subject to contract.
"We look forward to discussing with local residents how we can best accommodate their access to the woods in the future after the school has completed the purchase."
The school intends to stage the likes of outdoor learning, orienteering and nature trails on the woodland site.
Tom Bennington, who formed the Old Park Woods for Caterham Facebook group to campaign for public access to the site to continue, said it was a good result for the school and added he would be delighted to talk about future access arrangements.
And Caterham district councillor Jill Caudle hailed it as "great news", adding: "I look forward to being able to re-explore the area I roamed in so often as a child."
