Campaigners say they are being courted by three serious bidders to take over the running of Aldenham Country Park.

With applications due to be submitted to Hertfordshire County Council by April 18, Friends of Aldenham Country Park have entered talks with interested parties to discuss possible partnerships.

The group could not confirm who the potential bidders are, but said if it decided to back an application it would be working to ensure the public interest.

Chair of the campaigners, Hertsmere borough councillor Pat Strack (Conservative, Kenilworth) said: “By next Monday we will have made our final decision. We want to make sure we get the best possible deal.

“We are very hopeful that an application will move forward that we can say we really believe in.”

Potentially, the campaign group could be left out of a deal made with County Hall. However, Councillor Strack said she was positive the council would not sign with anyone who did not have strong community involvement.

Friends of Aldenham Country Park, which has applied for charitable status, could also make its own bid to take over the running of the park.

Councillor Strack said the group was keeping its options open and would be looking to back any application that retained as many of the park's facilities as possible, while being sustainable.

Hertfordshire County Council announced in November, 2010, it would be shutting down attractions, such as the rare breeds farm, at the Aldenham Road site in a bid to slash more than £150 million from its budget by 2015.

The group Friends of Aldenham Country Park says it would need to raise £150,000 as a start-up fund for the upkeep of the park in year one.

The group is still encouraging people to donate to the campaign. Cheques can be made out to Friends of Aldenham Country Park and sent to Councillor Strack at 36 Carrington Avenue, Borehamwood, WD6 2HA.