British Trust for Conservation volunteers get stuck in to clean up the Moot pond.DOWNTON'S historic Moot could revert to overgrown jungle within six months, unless help is found to maintain the grounds, Moot trustees have warned.

Thousands of pounds and hours of volunteer labour have gone into restoring the ancient monument and its surrounding gardens since the Moot came under the guardianship of the Downton Moot Preservation Trust in 1988.

Trustee chairman Charles Greville-Heygate said that with no spare cash available, the trustees had to rely on a small but dedicated team to keep paths clear, grass cut and undergrowth in check.

But numbers have dwindled and the grounds are currently maintained by just three volunteers, all in their 70s and finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the work required.

This month, Roy Dixon, who has been the main regular maintenance man at the Moot for the past eight years, steps down, and trustees fear that without him, nature will return the grounds to the overgrown thicket they were 15 years ago.

The Moot is owned in trust by the village and is open all year round, with no charge for entry.

"The Moot is an amazing village asset and our volunteers have worked very hard over the years to ensure that it was a place to be enjoyed by anyone who wants to go there," said Mr Greville-Heygate.

"Roy Dixon has done a wonderful job and it would be a great shame if all his efforts came to nothing because we were unable to replace him."

The trustees are keen to hear from anyone who can regularly spare a few hours each week to mow grass and carry out general maintenance and repair work.

"If we are unable to recruit help, we shall have to look at asking a body like the National Trust to take the Moot on," said Mr Greville-Heygate.

"That would be sad because Downton would no longer own it, but there might not be any alternative."

Anyone who feels they can help should contact Jon Frankfort, on 01725 510762.