expansion of the Equestrian Centre.

More than 1,500 people enjoyed a ramble through woodland at Vesey Street that the National Trust fear could be lost forever if planning permission is granted for the extension for the National Equestrian Centre.

At least 400 signatures against the plan were obtained during the Palm Sunday walk, which took in many other areas, and Trust conservation officer Cathy Gosling said it had given people an opportunity to see at first hand what could be lost.

"The proposed boundary had been flagged out so people could see what was going to happen -- the amount of land they have marked out is awesome, people just have no idea,'' she said.

The plan to enlarge the Devonshire horse centre has a time extension until September to submit its full application. A public hearing is expected before the Development Applications Board, when all the objections will be taken into account.

"There is so little woodland left in Bermuda and one way to prove to people that there are 30-foot trees and birds there, was to have them walk through it,'' Ms Gosling said.

"If people keep developing land at this rate, we won't have enough land left for these walks.'' A diverse cross-section of people attended the walk, which took in parts of the Railway Trail and land which directly overlooked the site of the proposed extension.

The petition will be used in any hearing in to the proposed extension -- which would use up to 3.8 acres of the woodland to create a race track and showjumping ring.

KEEPING THE PACE UP -- National Trust Palm Sunday walkers enjoy some of Bermuda's woodland during the ramble around Devonshire and Smith's Parish.