CAMPAIGNERS who have fought a seven-year battle to save a playing field from being lost to development have won a final victory.

Princess Anne Park, in Washington, has been registered as a village green by Sunderland City Council after the bid to block a £7.7m college campus.

Robert Duggan, of campaign group Washington First Forum (WFF), said: "A letter from Buckingham Palace confirming a visit by the Queen in 1977 proved that the field had been in public use for more than 20 years, thereby granting it village green status."

Sunderland council's licensing committee has granted the application by WFF to register the arena at Princess Anne Park as a town or village green.

The committee rejected the application four years ago, leading to a legal fight that ended with victory for the campaigners in the House of Lords.

Mr Duggan said: "We are very grateful to Sunderland City Council for finally agreeing to register the arena as a town or village green. The issues we have argued over have important ramifications for the protection of open spaces and playing fields.

"As a result of our efforts, playing fields now enjoy a much greater degree of protection from being lost to development."

The City of Sunderland College plans to take over part of the land at Usworth School to build a post-16 college.