A MAJOR campaign is being launched to ensure that important features ranging from dinosaur footprints to quarries are preserved in Purbeck.

Councils, business, farming and wildlife groups were among more than 50 representatives who met the National Trust for talks and to highlight issues for future research and investigation.

Trust Purbeck estate property manager Julian Homer said: "There is something for everyone such as world- famous geology, a rich botanical interest, stunning coastal scenery, Britain's largest dinosaur trackway, medieval strip linchetts boundaries, working limestone quarries, stone wall boundaries, excavated caves, over three-quarters of Britain's butterfly species and coppiced woodland.

"There are opportunities for regular glimpses of peregrine falcons, puffins and ravens and a walk through a resident herd of wild Exmoor ponies completes the picture. It makes this stretch of heritage coastline one of the most attractive and diverse in Britain."

He said the plan covered the extensive tract of farmed limestone grassland surrounding Langton Matravers and stretching from Durlston Country Park to Seacombe Valley and added that it is scheduled to be completed by January 2002.

The seminar group highlighted the importance of preserving quarrying, the future of quarrying, the economic difficulties facing farming and the importance of balancing the increasing demand for public access to a conservation area of outstanding natural beauty and special scientific interest.

It also highlighted more "countryside education", coastal erosion, improving nature conservation, reducing traffic and managing people's access as key issues for further consultation and discussion.

Mr Homer said: "We want to develop a management plan which accurately reflects the interests of the region and the issues which it is facing.

"We don't know all the answers, so we use this consultative process to ensure that we draw from a broad base of opinion and information to help us put the management plan together.

"We will be involving the local community with information and questionnaires to let everyone see what is being said and planned and to get the widest possible expressions of interest and opinion.

"This is the start of the process and we will be moving along with the programme. We want to ensure full consultation and involvement and the issues raised to require further research, information gathering and consideration.

"We will be working to develop a plan which reflects the uniqueness of this area."