PLANS to protect trees in a heavily-wooded village on the edge of the New Forest have been unveiled.

Parish councillors and conservation volunteers at Milford on Sea have joined forces with the New Forest Land Advice Service (NFLAS) to develop a ten-year woodland management plan.

Woodland covers ten per cent of the parish, with many areas designated as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation.

They boast a range of native trees, including oak, ash and alder, but also contain non-native trees that harm the woodlands’ native flora and the wildlife they support.

Now nature lovers in the coastal community are planning to tackle the problem by implementing a raft of measures.

These include removing a small number of trees each year to improve the overall health of the woodland, removing the most harmful non-native plants and improving habitats for butterflies and other insects.

Creating sunny glades and restoring important heathland habitat is also on the agenda.

Milford conservation volunteer Keith Metcalf said: “We are delighted that the parish council has adapted the Land Advice Service’s woodland management plan recommendations.

“Local conservation volunteers have been at the forefront of helping to develop the plan and have been instrumental in bringing the conservation management of the woodlands to fruition over the past 20 years.

“We shall continue to offer to undertake much of the work which, under the management plan, will continue at a measured pace.”

Angela Peters from the NFLAS added: “It’s excellent news to see these fantastically diverse woodlands being managed better for wildlife and local people.

“We hope this plan will help butterflies, native bluebells and many other plants and animals associated with British woodland thrive for years to come.”

A copy of the management plan is available at the parish council offices in the High Street on weekdays between 10am and noon.