Deer cull to protect plant life

A cull of deer in Lincolnshire is needed to protect woodland, the Forestry Commission has said.

Wildlife ranger Malcolm Armstrong said the growing population of deer was endangering certain species of plant in woodland in the county.

He said reports of road accidents involving deer were also increasing.

Mr Armstrong, who is also head of field operations for the Lincolnshire Deer Group, said the cull would be ongoing and carried out by qualified marksmen.

"There's certain plants that grow in here that deer favour, so when the deer population expands they are going to eat those plants out of existence.

"You could fence off the plants but you are then putting more pressure on the other areas... sooner or later you've got to bite the bullet and take physical action to reduce numbers.

"Shooting is by far the most humane method," he said.

Mr Armstrong said an ongoing cull was also expected to take place next year.