The hero of Sherwood Forest is backing a campaign to win a £45.5m lottery windfall for the historic woodland.

Jonas Armstrong, who plays Robin Hood in the hit BBC TV series, says it would be a "shame" if it was not awarded the funding - and today pledged his support for a £60m project to revitalise the forest.

The 26-year-old actor, whose screen adventures have brought the legend to a new generation of fans, urged people to vote in a national poll to ensure Sherwood: the Living Legend is picked from four projects in the running for the lottery funding.

He said: "It is such a historical place and it is part of our history and heritage.

"The other projects are very much worthwhile but this far outweighs any others.

"People have a duty to look after the forest. I hope the series being on TV will help. It is in the public eye again. It can only be a good thing."

The lottery cash would support work to plant 250,000 trees, building a world class visitor centre and 250km of walking, cycling and horse riding paths, and 50 village projects.

Jonas, who was born in Dublin but moved to Lancashire at the age of six, has never visited Sherwood Forest, something he is planning to correct before filming starts on the third series of Robin Hood next year.

Playing the folk hero has launched him from a relatively unknown young actor to worldwide stardom and heart-throb status.

He was in Delhi, in 2006, filming an adaptation of Katy Gardner's novel Losing Gemma when he was given the news he had won the part of Robin.

"I knew the BBC were making a series and I knew it was going to be prime time on a Saturday," he said.

"My agent called me and said, 'I have got you a meeting for it'. I said which part? and she said, 'Robin Hood.'

"I thought I would have no chance. I thought it would be a waste of time. I was over the moon when I got it, but a bit nervous about taking on such a large role."

Jonas, who graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2003, paid tribute to the writers of the series for making it such a success.

Sherwood: the Living Legend is one of four projects in the running for the Lottery's the People's £50m scheme.

A national vote in December will decide which one is given the windfall of up to £50m