SOUTHAMPTON MP Alan Whitehead has taken the fight to save a precious piece of open space to a top government official.

The former Civil Service sports ground, between Malmesbury Road and Suffolk Avenue in Shirley, is under threat because Civil Service bosses want to sell it.

A community action group has been formed - and has the backing of more than 1,000 people who have added their names to a petition to stave off the developers.

But, as reported in the Daily Echo, bosses at the Civil Service Sports Council have refused to meet with protesters and are pressing ahead with the sale of the eight and a half acres.

Labour MP for Southampton Test Alan Whitehead has now taken the battle to save the site to the CSSC's top boss.

In a letter to CSSC chairman and Cabinet secretary Sir Andrew Turnbull, he said: "All political parties on the city council have stated their opposition to housing development.

"A local community group has collected 1,000 signatures calling for the land to remain as a usable recreational space.

"I would like to know why the CSSC ground in Southampton has remained unused for so long? This is clearly not in the interests of local residents but neither can I see any benefits for CSSC members."

He added: "I also understand that the CSSC is 'owned and mainly run by its members' but I have found no evidence that the local area committee was consulted on the sale of land."

It is thought the CSSC is currently striking a deal over the land.