BELOVED woodland space has been put up for sale - and readers are concerned.

Advertiser readers waded in after news broke that Duchess Wood in Helensburgh was being put on the market by Luss Estates.

Ardenconnel Wood in Rhu has also been put up for sale, with the closing date earlier on Friday.

Apart from ongoing jokes about both pieces of land going to Flamingo Land or for an Aldi, residents are concerned housing developers will snap up both.

Linsey McCartney wrote: "Oh no! Was just there today with my dogs - be so sad if it goes to someone who will not keep it as it is for the wildlife alone."

And Gaz McCabe said: "Mmm, don't like the sound of that (anyone want to take bets on another new housing development?"

Fay Stewart posted to our Facebook: "Can they never leave things alone? More private housing? Who is it that can afford to buy them?"

James Steel offered: "Pretty sure these woods are protected so there shouldn't be any housing development."

Stuart Scott stated: "Needs to be a community buyout - anything other than that doesn’t bear thinking about."

While Jim Love said emphatically: "Think we need land reform now."

The 9.66-acre Ardenconnel Wood was listed for offers over £20,000.

Duchess Wood, at 50.68 acres, will be listed at offers over £70,000 and Luss Estates said they would be in support of a community purchase.

Argyll and Bute Council previously managed the woodland with the support of the Friends of Duchess Woods. Ownership reverted to Luss Estates in 2021.