SOUTH Dorset's Conservative parliamentary hopeful has added his voice to calls to save a sports field on Portland.

Richard Drax said plans to build new homes on Officers' Field should be abandoned.

He has urged the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), which owns the site, to think again and keep the area as open space for the benefit of residents.

Mr Drax said: "I appreciate the land is owned by the South West Regional Development Agency and it can lawfully do what it wants with this field.

"However, sports facilities for young islanders are few and far between and what a golden opportunity this land offers them.

"People talk of the Olympic legacy. Why should we not have a superb sports centre which youngsters from both Weymouth and Portland can enjoy?"

The fields are in Underhill, near Victoria Square, and were formerly owned by the Ministry of Defence for the navy base and air station.

More than 800 people have signed a petition against the site being used for housing.

Councillors leading the fight to save the field said that they have received widespread support from residents and the Portland Community Partnership.

SWRDA insists that a sports pitch will be kept on the site as part of the development. It is selling the site for £2 million but says recreation facilities will be part of the condition of sale along with a demand that the project is carbon neutral.

A day of action will be held at the Officers' Field from 1pm on May 4, when residents are invited to gather and show their opposition to the housing plans.

Mr Drax said: "We have a Labour Government which promised to end the policy of selling-off playing fields, but nearly 200 have gone since 1997.

"Although Officers' Field is not a school playing field, it has been used for sport for a long, long time. The precedent is there.

"I can only urge SWRDA to think again on this issue. The Olympic spotlight is shining already on Weymouth and Portland. In 2012 sport will dominate the news, so let's pre-empt this with a little imagination and foresight by keeping this little corner of Portland green for the benefit of all."