COSTNER FIGHTS TO PRESERVE SHERWOOD FOREST

Hollywood star KEVIN COSTNER is lending his support to save England's Sherwood Forest - the home of legendary outlaw ROBIN HOOD.

The actor, who played the title role in 1991 movie Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, emailed current Sheriff of Nottingham Jeannie Packer to back a campaign to preserve the woodland through a proposed $91 million (GBP45.5 million) grant from the U.K. Lottery fund.

Costner's email reads, "Sherwood Forest was a name I learned as a little boy. The surprise was being able to play the character Robin Hood.

"We know the legend and idea of Sherwood Forest. It is worth saving and preserving."

If the bid to preserve Sherwood Forest successfully wins lottery funding, the prize money will be used to create an eco-friendly visitors' centre and replant 250,000 trees.