A COMMUNITY group is hoping a 'human chain' protest at a historic city park will put a halt to council plans to lease it out.

Hundreds of people are ­expected to 'hook up' for the "arms around the park" demonstration at the former blaes pitches in the West Glasgow green space this Sunday between 2pm-2.30pm.

It has been organised by Friends of Victoria Park in response to an advert marketing the area for lease. Property consultants Ryden described the area as "commercial development land".

In a report it listed potential uses for the fields, including a pub or restaurant, a garden centre, a retail development, an open-air market and children's soft play. The closing date for bids is Noon on Friday, September 26.

As the Evening Times reported earlier, the move has caused shock in the area.

Robert Mellish, convener of the Friends of Victoria Park, said: "People are only just becoming aware of what the city council's land services has done and it is causing a great deal of distress.

"Having examined the park's title deeds it is abundantly clear to us that the park is land intended for the common good for the local inhabitants."

Members of the group plan to submit their own proposals for a community orchard to Ryden's offices in St Vincent Street.

A council spokesman said: "The council faces a number of financial challenges in the current climate and is looking at innovative ways to not only improve, but also maintain, the conditions of our parks.

"We need to find alternative ways to invest in frontline ­services and to do that we are surveying our estate to identify vacant or under-used assets, and other opportunities for investment.

"We've always been very clear that, prior to reaching any conclusions, the results of this exercise will be fully shared with, and discussed with, local elected members, community councils, and any interested parties themselves.

"We will organise this consultation when we have received and digested the contents of the Ryden report."