SHAW Forest Park got an early spring clean when volunteers teamed up with park ranger Stuart Searl.

The Swindon Council ranger who looks after the parkland was joined by a small band of volunteers keen to learn about woodland crafts.

Stuart said: “This is about tree coppicing and some tree felling and tidying up.

“The planting here was so successful the trees are now at risk of competing with each other. In some areas when they are in leaf the paths are dark and we need to let light in.

“It is not good as it forces them to grow taller and then they are at risk of storm damage.”

Shaw Forest is home to tens of thousands of willow, ash and alder trees covering an area the size of 50 football pitches.

The project began in 1995 to plant a forest on what was once a landfill site and over the years the scheme has developed in phases with the youngest batch of trees planted five to 10 years ago.

Stuart said: “We are looking at an area the size of two to three football pitches.

“We are cutting down certain trees but not taking out many. We’re coppicing some, which means taking the tree down to its stump – it will grow back.”

Volunteer Beverley Margerison, 52, of Wroughton, who planted some of the original trees said: “It’s the first time I’ve been back. I came because I wanted to do something for the community and because I wanted some tips.”

Hilary Millett, 67, of Gorse Hill, who walks her dog in the area, said: “I’ve walked up here and seen it develop and because I use it I wanted to give something back to the community.”