RESIDENTS in Knowsley are set to take to the streets to take part in a march against plans to sell off 17 of the borough's green spaces.

Knowsley Council cabinet members agreed unanimously in January that the controversial scheme go ahead.

The authority says a charitable trust will be established to manage green spaces in the borough from April 2019, when council funding for the service will run out.

The trust will be funded by the sale of 10 per cent of the borough’s green spaces over the next 15 years.

This, the council says, will create a £40 million endowment, the interest from which would be used to manage and maintain the remaining 90 per cent permanently, says the council.

Among the green spaces to be surrendered in the move is King George V Playing Fields in Prescot, known locally as 'Brown's Field'.

The controversial move has created much anger among the borough's residents, with fierce opposition to the plans.

Prescot town councillor Kai Taylor, of the Green party, had blasted the initial decision as as "utterly disgraceful", describing Brown's Field as a "much-loved community asset and well-used resource".

The family march will begin from three of the borough's under-threat parks: Brown's Field; Alt Park, Huyton and Court Hey Park, Huyton and will go to Knowsley Council's offices in Huyton.

The march will take place on Sunday, April 22 starting at 9.30am.

One of the residents involved, Mandy Roberts, said: "We have organised a family march to protest against the sale of the 17 parks.

"Feelings are running high over this. Once our parks are gone they are gone forever."

In its rationale for the decision, Knowsley Council said :"A new green space , including new play provision and a cycle link into Stadt Moers Park, will be created at Prescot Park, which is within 800 metres".

After the decision in January, Knowsley Council leader Andy Moorhead claimed the move was about "protecting parks, not taking them away" adding the cabinet is "only too well aware that taking no action to protect our parks and green spaces is not an option".

He said: "(We) have a responsibility to think creatively to ensure future generations are still able to enjoy quality open spaces as we do."

Cllr Moorhead added it was not a decision come to "lightly" and that it was agreed "following extensive consultation and research."