Landowners offered registry plan

Landowners in Wiltshire are being invited to sign up for a voluntary registration scheme which will identify and register what they own.

The Wiltshire initiative is part of a drive by Land Registry seeking people who own large areas of land.

The proportion of land registered in Wiltshire is the fourth lowest in England and Wales, at just under 50%.

Once registered, owners have the title to their land guaranteed by the state, making buying and selling simpler.

"Land Registry is keen that farmers and other landowners have a proper guarantee of their land ownership," said Andy Woodgate, a local Register Development Manager.

The registration means landowners will know the administration of their land holding is in good order, with key information in one place and easy to access, on Land Registry's system.