SUPPORTERS of Seaview's Alan Hersey Nature Reserve have warned the parish council against taking over responsibility for it.

Currently the Isle of Wight Council has the reserve on the remainder of a 50-year lease requiring it to maintain the wetland.

But under a proposal from Sea View Yacht Club which wants to extend its boat park on part of the reserve the club says the freeholder would sign over the reserve.

But Jo King, of the Friends of the Hersey Reserve, told Monday's parish council meeting: "The parish council taking over the huge cost of the reserve means the landowner would receive a large windfall in return for washing his hands of a liability."

So far the friends have collected nearly 5,000 signatures for their anti-development petition which has the support of Ryde Labour Party which said: "We believe that public areas of natural beauty like Hersey enrich the lives of many within our community, and should not be used to serve only the privileged few."

So far the club has not made a planning application to extend its facilities and will need the blessing of Natural England which insisted upon creation of the reserve in return for giving the Isle of Wight Council permission for new sea defences.

At a recent meeting of the Isle of Wight Council deputy leader Cllr Stuart Hutchinson said nothing could happen to the reserve without the blessing of Natural England.

Yacht Club commodore Michael North said extending the park would enable the club to expand its programme of youth sail training in the wider East Wight community.

"The club would ensure minimal activity during October to March in recognition of preserving the wildlife habitat."