PLANS to build a £500,000 tree-house study centre in the New Forest have got off the ground.

Two "classrooms in the sky" will be run by the Beaulieu-based Countryside Education Trust (CET), which teaches groups of visiting city children about rural life.

Lady Montagu, chairman of the trust's fundraising committee, unveiled the scheme at a Christmas fair held in aid of the organisation.

The annual event has raised tens of thousands of pounds for the CET since it was first held 30 years ago. Last year's event netted £14,000.

Lady Montagu said: "All the money raised goes to the CET for its various projects and all this year's proceeds have been earmarked for the tree-house project."

CET members want to replace the "worn out" classrooms that comprise the New Forest Study Centre at Hartford Wood, Beaulieu.

"The project has cleared the first hurdle by securing a grant from the South East England Development Agency," added Lady Montagu.

"Our aim has always been replace the study centre with a building that was both inspirational and sustainable. What's being planned certainly meets these criteria and goes a whole level higher.

"We hope the two classrooms will be built as tree-houses, up in the air, with only the lavatory block and office on the ground."

Lady Montagu said the trust would work in partnership with other organisations, including the Beaulieu Estate, the National Park Authority and the Royal Institute of British Architects.

"We still have to raise the funds to construct the buildings but if all goes well we hope to open the complex in 2008."

Hundreds of people attended the Christmas fair, held at Palace House, Beaulieu, ancestral home of the Montagu family since 1538. Raffle prizes included a case of Lord Montagu's claret.

Lady Montagu was joined by Lord Montagu's elder son, the Hon Ralph Montagu, and Ralph's wife Ailsa.