Heathland scheme nears completion

It is hoped the work will encourage wildlife to return to the area

A 10-year plan to restore heathland at a National Trust estate in Cornwall is entering its final stages.

Trust staff will be clearing tree stumps and burning debris at Bazeley's Plantation on the north eastern edge of Lanhydrock estate near Bodmin.

It was lost to trees and shrubs when grazing ceased about 40 years ago.

Since 1995 trees have been gradually cleared from the 11-acre site. The soil is also being scraped to allow heather seeds to germinate.

'Continued management'

It is hoped the work will encourage wildlife to return to the area.

Ponies are already grazing there between March and August to restrict the growth of some plant species so the heather can flourish.

Matt Lewis, National Trust area warden for Lanhydrock, said: "Much of the Trust's project conservation work takes a number of years to achieve, and although we are close to finishing the restoration of Bazeley's, the continued management of the site will carry on well in to the future.

"Future work will include annual monitoring to check the impact of the grazing and to record which plant and animal species are re-colonising."