A WOODLAND watchdog has overwhelmingly rejected plans to put animal sculptures in its 60-acre site.

Members of Harrogate's Pinewood Conservation Group voted to reject the idea of wooden sculptures at the beauty spot.

Their decision came after some group members went to see a bigger sculpture scheme at Grizedale Forest, in the Lake District.

The group had originally teamed up with Harrogate Borough Council to look into the idea.

The group's new chairman, Geoff Scurrah, who lives near the wood and walks in it every day, said he would write to the council's head of parks, Pat Kilburn, to inform him of the decision.

Mr Scurrah said the idea had been to introduce wooden sculptures of animals that people would expect to see in the Pinewood, including deer and squirrels.

Widespread opposition to the sculptures was aired at the group's annual meeting, as members said they wanted the wood to retain its natural charm.

Conservation group member Councillor Jim Clark said: "I am very glad that this proposal has been thrown out in this special woodland oasis.

"I hope this is the end of fanciful schemes to detract from the wood's natural beauty."

The conservation group had consulted the public on whether sculptures should appear in the wood at all, if there should be a small number, or up to 50 of them. The scheme did not win public favour.