Minster Parish Council have acted quickly to safeguard the future of The Glen as a village green.

Parish councillors realised that a change in planning law meant that some open spaces could be built on and embarked on a mission to protect The Glen.

They quickly found out that areas that qualified by historic free use by the public, could be registered as a village green to ensure that they remain available as a recreational space.

On Tuesday afternoon, residents who gathered at The Glen road entrance to the site were told the good news and toasted the success with champagne.

Ken Ingleton, parish council chairman, marked the occasion by planting an ash tree.

Parish clerk Trish Codrington said public support had been overwhelming with backing from schools, community groups, organisations and families who certified they had used the open space for recreation activities for more than 20 years.

Residents also provided pictures from family albums which, along with newspaper cuttings of the annual Easter bunny bank service, was used as evidence.

Mr Ingleton thanked everyone who had been involved in producing evidence of The Glen's historic use and owner Swale council for its cooperation in supporting the application to Kent County Council (KCC).

He said: "This has been the culmination of many months of work by both the staff and members of our parish council, for which I thank them all.

"The original parish council started working for the parish on December 4, 1894; it would be good to expect this tree commemorating the occasion, to be here in a further 116 years to be enjoyed by people not yet born."

The parish council is now working on a similar application to register the area known as the Scrapsgate Open Space and Playing Field.

• For information on how to support this application, contact Trish Codrington on 07748 967782 or by emailing minsterparish@btinternet.com