And now the whole district can enjoy it for years to come as a covenant being drawn up by solicitors will protect the coastal green space forever.

As we revealed last week Rayner's Field at Heysham – views across which have been enjoyed by generations of locals and visitors alike – was put up for sale by the Rayner family trust through an auction held at Lancaster Town Hall. Residents were concerned that the guide price – £140,000 – was a lot to ask if it was for a field which no-one could do anything with, the land enjoying a degree of protection in the city council's Local Plan.

There was a suspicion that someone might, in the future, successfully apply to build on the field.

Previous attempts have been made to get approval for major housing development there including one major battle which prompted the National Trust to get involved.

At that time the NT described Rayner's Field as one of the most significant strips of coastal green space in the region and even considered buying it, a suggestion that never materialised.

Last Wednesday's auction at Lancaster Town Hall was attended by representatives of a group of residents at nearby Twemlow Parade and Knowlys area who successfully bid for the field at a final price of £160,000.

One of them, Andy Ley, said: "When we knew we'd got it it was an amazing feeling. Some of the residents who had joined together to buy the field have lived in their houses for more than 20 years and, obviously, the views are a big part of their enjoyment of where they live.

"One of the residents, Ron Carey, started to consult neighbours about the possible threat to the fields and asked if people would be interested in clubbing together to try to buy it.

"Some had been involved in previous objections to development plans there and are now delighted to have played a part in protecting the field for generations to come.

"Of course there is a degree of self-interest as we are protecting our property prices as well, but there are wider benefits for the whole of the district and the visitors who come here.

"People have looked out over those fields from Knowlys Road for decades and they will be able to carry on doing that forever.

"We also want the horses that graze there to continue to be a part of the scenery."

A series of meetings has been held to discuss the way forward and solicitors are now working to finalise the wording of a covenant. It would include strict terms defining the land as one entity and preventing any single member of the residents' group – or any sub-group –agreeing to sell their 'share' of the field or build on it themselves.