The Rolling Stones rocker Keith Richards has joined a campaign to protect a meadow opposite his famous home in Redlands, England.

The guitarist's country estate became notorious back in 1967 when it was the scene of a major drugs bust involving his bandmate Sir Mick Jagger and the singer's then-girlfriend Marianne Faithfull.

Richards still owns the house, and is joining his neighbours in fighting to protect the surrounding countryside, including a meadow which they want to have reclassified as a nature reserve to protect it from possible development, according to Britain's Sunday Express.

Local resident Peter Dawson tells the newspaper, "It is vital Redlands Meadow gets protected by law ­otherwise it could be cultivated for agriculture using chemicals or it could even be sold for property development. We love Keith as a neighbour because he is completely dedicated to protecting the wonderful countryside we all enjoy so much. He may be a rock star but he is the most down to earth man I know."