Dreweatt Neate has been hired by West Berkshire Council to organise the auction of 13 sets of ‘commoners rights’ over the former airbase – mainly collecting firewood, wood for fence repairs, and the right to graze cattle.

The offer is open to any of the 250 homes scattered across the 1000 acres of Greenham and Crookham Commons, and around 50 have already taken up their hard won rights.

Council officials expect to recoup £1650 from the sale, which will go towards the administration of the scheme, with its very own Act of Parliament granted two years ago.

Anyone wishing to take up the rights will be allowed to stand as a representative on the 20-strong Commons commission.