Woodland spruce up

1:13pm Friday 9th November 2001

CONSERVATIONISTS will be working on Darenth Wood to encourage wildlife and plant growth.

The ancient woodland and site of special scientific interest is to have £7,500 spent on it by English Nature.

It plans to clear the paths and the spaces in the woods using ancient techniques including coppicing.

This involves cutting trees back down to their stumps to allow light to reach plants which grow at ground level.

English Nature conservation officer Lionel Solly said: “We hope to see bluebells and wood anemones return to the area as well as fritillaries and mottled ringlet butterflies.

Dartford council has approved the project.