A HEREFORD farmer says he could help save the Rotherwas ribbon' - but no-one's asked him.

The 4,000-year-old snake or ribbon-shaped discovery was made earlier this year during excavations for the new Rotherwas access road.

Protestors, including those who opposed the road, have been campaigning for the site to be protected and preserved as a tourist attraction but Herefordshire Council plans to cover it with protective layers so work can continue while awaiting a decision on its significance from English Heritage.

The council has also been invited to apply for money for further examination which could lead to a dig on private land, surrounding the find and belonging to farmer Tracey Goodwin.

And, if funding is secured from English Heritage, Mr Goodwin is willing to allow his land to be excavated. "As long as we are compensated for loss of earnings and know the time duration we really don't have an issue with it," he said. "We would be as supportive as we possibly can be.

"The potential is frightening. We would be delighted if it provided a future that would benefit Herefordshire. I hope the council would look at it with a positive attitude to tie it in with the county's other attractions."

Mr Goodwin, whose family have farmed the land for four generations, is surprised he has not yet been contacted by the council .

He said: "During a recent site visit, business owners were told the area around the site may not be excavated further because the landowner has not given permission.

"But nobody has contacted me from the council at any point to discuss the findings or the future of the Rotherwas Ribbon. They have hidden behind us and it has not done us any good.

"People have given me some sly comments as they think we will not allow the dig to go on but I would love it to work as a tourist attraction."

The council says it is too soon to contact Mr Goodwin because English Heritage is still to report its findings.

Robert Blower, press officer, said: "We are not going to pre-empt what we are going to hear from English Heritage.

"If there is a need to excavate Mr Goodwin's land we will write to him straight away. Everything is on hold at the moment apart from protecting the monument."

Councillor John Jarvis, cabinet member for the environment and strategic housing, said the monument would be protected, whatever the outcome of English Heritage's report.

"The cover is either a temporary protection or it could be part of a permanent solution," he said.

"This will remain in place so, if the decision is made to continue with the road or if a decision is made to re-route the road, it will be protected. The membrane can be removed without causing any further damage to the ribbon."

The work to cover the ribbon begins soon. It will be covered by waterproof and chemically resistant layers, separated by sand and topped.

Layers can be removed or added and the process is expected to take two weeks.

The individual stones making up the ribbon will be given a fingertip clean to remove silt.

English Heritage has said the decision over scheduling the monument, which could provide legal protection, is several weeks away.