The Woodland Trust needs £750,000 if it is to save 116 acres of farmland from potential development.

The money, which is needed by the end of May, will allow the charity to expand its extensive Hucking Estate.

Ten threatened bird species, including lapwings and skylarks, and 21 different butterflies live on the land.

If purchased trees will be planted and a young woodland will develop, while other areas will be managed as chalk grassland — a priority habitat that has seen a loss of up to 85% in the Kent Downs.

However, if unsuccessful the land would be sold on the open market.

Clive Steward, site manager for the trust, said: “We need to seize this unique opportunity, and make sure that this land becomes a rich and diverse habitat. By letting some of the area naturally regenerate, the landscape will be released from human influence.”

The Woodland Trust manages 1,000 sites covering over 22,500 hectares, when it bought the estate in 1997 it became its largest woodland in England.

To help extend the Hucking Estate and allow new woodland to develop, donate at woodlandtrust.org.uk/huckingappeal or phone 0330 333 3300.

The Woodland Trust needs to raise £750,000 by the end of May