Cash plea to save Peak landmark

The moorland is being eroded by pollution and over grazing

The National Trust is asking for donations to help preserve a historic plateau in the Peak District.

Kinder Scout, a Derbyshire beauty spot known for a demonstration in 1932 over access for ramblers, is crumbling and needs work to slow down erosion.

National Trust spokesman Mike Innerdale said cash is needed to save the area from "irreparable damage".

Natural England has earmarked £500,000 for restoration of Kinder Scout, but it needs match funding.

The erosion has been caused by wild fires, over grazing and walkers, as well as air pollution from surrounding cities like Sheffield.

He said some areas are now like "a moonscape" with dark, black patches dispersed with a bits of heather and grass.

The peat is being stripped away and the landscape could become "one big erosion scar" unless action is taken.

The money will be used to spray heather seed on the moor and rebuild some of the footpaths in the area.