WELCOME to the Isle of Skye - in Sheffield.

This plot of land, which shares its name with the famous Scottish beauty spot, is home to some of the best wildlife in the region with more skylarks per square yard than anywhere else in Yorkshire.

The land's status as a haven for the species is particularly important as, according to the British Trust for Ornithology the number of skylarks has fallen by 59 per cent since 1967.

There's also an abundance of bumble bees, now a rare species, hares race across the wilderness and bird-lovers can spot partridges.

And that is why Hunshelf Parish Council is desperate to preserve it for future generations.

The parish council is appealing for donations so it can buy the wildlife haven and keep it open for members of the public.

But time is running out as the council needs to raise £8,000 in about six months time.

The Isle of Skye is an old quarry at Green Moor on the edge of Barnsley, overlooking Stocksbridge.

Over the years it has been owned by several developers and has always been used by local ramblers.

A couple of years ago, the land came up for sale. The parish council couldn't afford it so nine local residents banded together and bought it on the understanding that the council would buy it from them.

Now those investors need their money and Hunshelf Parish Council is desperately fundraising.

Parish council clerk David Horsfall was one of those who invested. He says the people who bought it wanted to preserve it but they have lost money on it and now want their original investment back.

David has forfeited his clerk's salary and expenses for the past two years - around £4,000 - so the parish council can add that to its fundraising.

He explained: "The site is an old quarry and we're not sure why it's called the Isle of Skye but there's a rumour that workmen were there years ago and it never stopped raining.

"One of them looked up and said 'there must be an oyle in't sky' and we think that's where the name comes from.

"When it was a quarry 100 years ago it used to supply flags and stones for the House of Commons and Barnsley Town Hall. But about 60 years ago it was filled in and turned into a wildlife haven.

"It had a series of owners and most of them ignored it but the last owner put signs up stopping people from using it and fenced off the public footpath."

Ten years ago the parish council tried to buy the land with a Lottery grant but the owner wouldn't sell.

Then two years ago, it suddenly came up at auction for £33,000. It was too much for the parish council to afford as it only has an income of around £3,000 a year but local people were desperate to save it.

David said: "It's part of our heritage so nine people banded together and bought it.

We said we would keep it until the parish council could buy it from us."

Now the investors would like their money back but the parish council still doesn't have enough cash to buy it.

It has made several applications for grant aid and is hoping local residents will also help.

David said: "Every time I met a Scotsman I used to joke that I owned part of the Isle of Skye so it's been worth the money for the fun of it.

"But the people who own it held a meeting and decided we couldn't go on any longer. The parish council is committed to buying it by March 2009 and it must now find the money.

"The council is £8,000 short and we would welcome any donations at all.

"We have had an encouraging response from parishioners but we are hoping we will get somebody to come along who doesn't think it's a huge amount and who will give us a cheque."

- Anyone who would like to make a donation can contact David on 0114 2883684

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