CAMPAIGNERS are taking to the streets on Saturday to voice their opposition to plans to turn Wolverley's Drakelow Tunnels into a training centre for the unemployed.

Hundreds of protesters are expected to turn out for the walk after a group formed to fight the proposals turned down an offer to buy part of the site, saying the £1.6 million asking price was too high.

Jericho, the Birmingham-based charity behind the scheme, gave the Drakelow Preservation Trust - DPT - until last Friday to take it up on the deal to purchase 28 of the 50-acre site.

A plan has been submitted to Wyre Forest District Council seeking permission to transform one of the tunnels into a training centre for a maximum of 30 people.

Andy Cox, DPT's spokesman, said the group would enter into negotiations with Jericho and the site owner in attempts to reach a solution.

He added: "A surveyor came back to us and the one key point in the report was that the land being offered was only valued at £200,000. We have put that offer to Jericho but do not expect it to be accepted for one minute.

"We simply cannot buy at any price. The DPT will be a registered charity by the end of next month and, as such, we have a duty to buy responsibly.

"It is important to remember that we do not only need cash to purchase the site. We want to restore it and open it in the future."

Residents from Wolverley, Cookley and Caunsall are expected to join the protesters meeting at 10am at Kingsford Forest, Kingsford Lane car park, for the protest walk.

Mr Cox said organisers were hoping more than 1,000 people would make the half-mile journey to the historic facility.

He added: "It really is a chance for people that this plan has been forced upon to vote with their feet and voice their objections."

The controversial issue will be thrashed out at a council planning meeting next month.