Hollywood sign to be bulldozed by developers unless $3million can be raised in three weeks

 
It is the sign that has welcomed millions of tourists - not to mention aspiring actors - to the world's film capital. Now, the nine famous white letters that make up the Hollywood sign are under threat.
A conversation group battling to save the iconic sign from demolition claim they have just three weeks to raise $3million (around £2million) or watch the sign, which is high in the Hollywood hills, be destroyed by developers who want to build luxury houses on the land.

Countdown to destruction? The famous 50-foot high letters can be seen from across Los Angeles

Glamour and tragedy at the Hollywood sign...

The nine iconic letters of the Hollywood sign have been both a symbol of inspiration and despair for aspiring film stars. In 1932, young Welsh-born actress Peg Entwistle, frustrated with ongoing rejection by the city's film directors, climbed 45 feet up to the top of  the letter 'H' and jumped to her death. The 24-year-old became known as 'The Hollywood Sign Girl'.

A Chicago-based consortium plans to build four high-end mansions on the 138 acres of land that lie along the ridgeline which overlooks Los Angeles. The group has agreed to sell the land but the company opposing the build need to raise $12.5 million by April 14th.
"We feel good about where we are and we feel good about our chances to do this," said Tim Ahern of the Trust for Public Land.
Los Angeles council member Tom LaBonge said the trust has so far collected $9.5 million - $4 million from public funds, and the remainder $5.5 million from private donors including movie and television companies and Hollywood stars such as director Steven Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks.
"We're getting closer to our goal and if we continue working hard, I know we'll reach it," said LaBonge.
One of the world's most recognizable landmarks, the sign was given a facelift last month when the trust shrouded each of the 45-foot (13-metre) high letters in blankets so the slogan 'SAVE THE PEAK' became visible for miles around the sprawling Californian city.
The Hollywood sign itself, which was initially created as an advert for a real estate development called Hollywoodland in 1923, is owned by the city of Los Angeles.
One of the City of Angels' most beloved attractions, the sign had fallen into disrepair until it was restored in the 1970s after a campaign which saw nine donors pay 27,777 dollars to "adopt" one letter each.