Watchdog overturns ban on advert of Land Rover in forest

Activists say ad could encourage driving in ecologically sensitive areas and accuse ASA of bias

Environmental campaigners have accused the UK advertising watchdog of bias for overturning a draft ruling that banned adverts for a mud-splattered Land Rover Defender off-roader after previously saying it encouraged socially irresponsible" driving that could cause damage to vulnerable habitats".

The national newspaper ad featured a Defender in a forest with the headline Life is so much better without restrictions". Text accompanying the ad said the 4x4 had the capacity to go almost anywhere and do anything. If you take one for an extended test drive ... a whole new world of freedom awaits".