Trees in Belfairs Wood, Leigh, will be getting a spruce up to stimulate plant growth on the ground.

Work will begin in the wood and nature reserve later this month to thin and coppice trees across six acres of woodland over a six-week period.

The aim of coppicing is to cut timber in a traditional rotation pattern so that plots are not cut again for between ten and 15 years.

Nick Harris, assistant director of Southend's leisure services, said: "Although the coppiced area can look very bleak and bare immediately after cutting, the light that is then able to penetrate to the floor of the wood stimulates the growth of plants on the ground.

"This adds to the types of wildlife that the wood attracts."

He added: "Coppicing is the earliest form of woodland management, with the Romans managing extensive coppices to provide fuel, fencing handles for tools and wands for basket making.

"Coppicing is essential for the long term survival of the woodland, its biodiversity and the management of the resource."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.