A petition urging the county council not to sell green belt land earmarked for a rail freight terminal has received more than 4,400 signitures.

The development at the former Radlett Airfield was approved in July last year and St Albans Council lost its latest appeal against the plans earlier this March.

Hertfordshire County Council owns around 300 acres of the land and said it would consider whether to sell it to developers Helioslough when all legal action has ended.

The freehold of the land was transferred to the county council in 2006 with a covenant limiting its use to "agricultural, open space and recreational purposes" for 21 years.

Organisers of the Don't Sell Green Belt to Helioslough petition said the county council's "prime duty” is to local residents.

The petition asks the council refuse to sell its site to the developers.

Council chiefs launched an appeal last month against the dismissal of the High Court challenge, and the county council are deferring any decision on the possible disposal of its land until the appeal is heard.

To date, more than £1.5 million has been spent on the fight against the terminal.

For everything you to know about railfreight see our handy timeline here.

Sign the petition here.