THE highest peaks of Dartmoor could be freed from military use, following a united plea to Prince Charles by four major conservation groups.

The Dartmoor Preservation Association, Ramblers' Association, Council for National Parks and the Open Spaces Society have banded together to urge the Prince to support their campaign to remove High Willhays and Yes Tor from the Okehampton Live Firing Range.

John Bainbridge, chief executive of the DPA, said: 'We are asking Prince Charles to intervene to release the highest summit in Southern England in this, the Queen's Golden Jubilee year.

'What better jubilee present to the British people than to give them the freedom to roam on High Willhays and Yes Tor?'

Mr Bainbridge said the Duchy of Cornwall currently leases the 2,000ft of hilltop to the Ministry of Defence for live firing, denying hillwalkers and riders access to that section of the moor for many days a year.

The groups claim removal of the High Willhays area and Yes Tor would not be a problem to the MOD, as they are on the edge of the firing range.

The groups say hillwalkers oppose the inclusion of the highest Dartmoor hill in the firing range, while the DPA says lack of access is contrary to National Park principles and harmful to the local economy.

Mr Bainbridge said: 'Even with the removal of High Willhays and Yes Tor, the Army would have 20,000 acres of moorland for live firing, so the removal of Dartmoor's highest summit makes no difference.

'We are asking Prince Charles to show his commitment to National Park values by at least removing the highest hills of Dartmoor from the Okehampton firing range.'

The letter sent today (Thursday) to Prince Charles is signed by directors of all four groups.

It states the MOD has caused 'significant damage' to Yes Tor by the installation of military tracks and 'ugly and intrusive' huts.

It says restrictions of access causes frustration among hillwalkers and has a knock-on impact to the economy.

'As a hillwalker yourself, we are sure you will understand how much impact these restrictions can have on public enjoyment of this beautiful part of the National Park,' the letter states.

A spokesman for the Duchy of Cornwall said the Duchy recognises the 'important contribution that training on Dartmoor makes to the safety and effectiveness of our armed forces'.

She said 'until and unless' government rules change, military training on Dartmoor would continue to be permitted by the Duchy, but conceded Higher Willhays and Yes Tor may be treated as a separate issue.

'On this specific matter, we are in discussions with the military over whether it is possible for the safety zones to be moved back, to release Higher Willhays and Yes Tor. It's a technical, military safety matter and it must be for them to ultimately decide,' she said.

Karen Mosely, Army spokesman, said the Okehampton range was open for two thirds of the year, principally over the summer months, when the red flags were not flying.

She said: 'The military will give serious thought to this new proposal, but as it will take consultation with other bodies, a rapid response is not possible, and for everybody's safety, the by-laws must remain in force.'

A spokesman for Dartmoor National Park Authority said the DNPA could not comment on the letter as it had not received a copy.

He said: 'With regard to military activity, the overall objective is to retain the principle of ultimate withdrawal of military use, but within a framework consistent with the nation's defence needs.'