PROTESTERS have continued their campaign against Swindon Council's plans to improve Barbury Castle.

The Friends of the Ridgeway collected signatures for a petition asking the council to leave Barbury Castle alone.

It plans changes to the area around the Ridgeway Farm, developing a new refreshment facility and eventually move the toilet block away from the car park.

But protesters fear it could ruin the area, turning Barbury Castle into a major tourist attraction.

The council has evicted Lynne Simpson from the Ridgeway Farm, which she runs with her family, because it says it can make better use of the land around it.

Ian Ritchie, chairman of the Friends of the Ridgeway, said: "The council has been a bit cloak and dagger by not telling us exactly what it plans to do.

"We understand that it is planning to produce plans and there will be a full public consultation."

The Friends were also gathering support for a ban on cars, especially four wheel drive vehicles, using the Ridgeway.

They say the vehicles are carving up the 85 mile long path, which is 6,000 years old and said to be the oldest road in Europe.

The group was popular with people at Barbury yesterday.

Cyclist Ron Aldred, 52, a warehouse operative from Swindon, said: "I love coming here cycling, I've brought friends from all over the country here and they have all loved it.

"A lot of cyclists want it to stay just as it is, it's a wonderful place to cycle and doesn't need any changes.".

Horse rider Judie Green, 55, a Nationwide employee living in the Railway Village, said: "Barbury is like an Oasis on the Ridgeway, you can stop and use the toilet, get a bite to eat and know that you are safe because there are people living here.

"I don't think it should be changed but whatever they do I would like someone up here 24 hours a day."

Councillor Jemima Milton (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon), backed the Friends bid to have cars banned from the Ridgeway.

She said: "I support their concerns, but it is important we look at Barbury Castle as a whole and it is important that we make it open for the enjoyment of as many people as possible."