Residents fighting plans to build on an historic piece of land in Bushey have gathered more than 1,000 signatures in support of their campaign.

Developer Signature is looking to build a large care home in The Paddock, in Elstree Road, currently owned by the Bushey Museum Property Trust.

The land forms part of the historic Reveley Lodge Estate, and is widely recognised as the last piece of the original Bushey heath.

News of the sale sparked an outcry from residents, but the trust claims it is being forced to sell the land to raise cash for maintenance on the Victorian estate, handed to them by the late owner Eila Chewett.

But neighbouring residents and councillors, staunch opponents of the move, claim the land was handed to the museum in the belief it would never be built on.

Many also believe the large development will cause major traffic and parking problems down its narrow entrance road - Caldecote Gardens.

A campaign group, set up to fight the move, has now gathered a petition that will be submitted to planning officers at Hertsmere Borough Council.

Linda Rauch, of the group, said: "We were absolutely blown away by the support we have received - it has been really inspiring. We will be writing letters of objection and we want others to join us.

"We hope the council listen to the people in the area - the people who will either be living with a nice garden space or a huge building."

The campaigners are now waiting for the council to register the application, from which point residents have 21 days to submit their objections in writing.

A public meeting is also planned for later this month, to promote the campaign, though a date is yet to be finalised.

Mrs Rauch added: "We want everyone to get a fair crack of the whip at the meeting, and everyone to have their say."