IT has been more than 60 years in the making, but environmental groups across East Hampshire could finally celebrate last week as Secretary of State Hilary Benn confirmed the new South Downs National Park.

Mr Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, was in Ditchling, East Sussex, last Thursday to sign the confirmation order that officially creates the new national park and defines its boundary.

For full story, see this week's Petersfield Herald.