A DETAILED survey of hedgerows across north Hampshire has been completed by members of Hampshire Wildlife Trust and Basingstoke Conservation Volunteers.

Botanical records of more than 200 hedgerows were gathered, and will be used in future by the trust and the county council to plan their wildlife and landscape conservation programmes.

Bob Winfield, a consultant who planned and organised the work, which was funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Hampshire County Council, said: "A large number of the hedges were of ancient origin, with up to 12 different woody plants.

"The survey teams also found scores of different plants in most of the hedge banks.

"These are very important for both wildlife and for the character of the landscape."

Mr Winfield said that, although many local farmers and landowners looked after their hedges well, a minority of arable farmers sprayed herbicides along the base of their hedges, which seriously reduced their value as a wildlife habitat.

He added: "Hedges are a very important habitat for farmland birds, small mammals, butterflies and a host of invertebrate animals. And just as importantly, hedges are a special feature of the local landscape character."