THE co-founder of a group set up to oppose the building of a £1m monument to Queen Elizabeth II has vowed to fight against the appeal.

Anne Palmer, from Kirkwhelpington, set up the Keep the Wannies Wild group along with fellow Redesdale residents Emma Anderson and Mary Ann Rogers.

The group opposed Lord Devonport’s proposals to build a 56-metre (184ft) tall monument on the top of Cold Law Hill near Kirkwhelpington.

Last week, the team behind the project announced they would be appealing against Northumberland County Council’s decision to refuse planning permission.

Anne believed that residents had shown they did not want the monument.

She said: “Since the appeal was lodged, we’ve had a surge in our membership. Last week we had 800 members, now it’s practically doubled. We agree with the conclusion that the council came to in the summer. It’s the wrong thing in the wrong place and we’re going to give the council every bit of help that we can.

“Whether or not you like it, we have demonstrated that we don’t want it. We don’t go along with the argument that it’s going to help us locally.”

The team behind the monument said they believed the development would drive tourism and boost the local economy.