RANGERS working on a project to restore a precious heathland habitat in the hope that there will be fire without smoke in the last phase of their project.

After felling trees from 14.8 acres of land, located in Dibden Inclosure, near Dibden Purlieu to transform the area from pine forest to open heath the remaining brash and branches will need to be burned.

The New Forest LIFE project manager, Peter Carpenter (pictured with his dog Flash) explained: "If we left the brash to rot it would take at least 15 years for the heath to fully recover. If we burn off restoration will only take a few years.

"Our aim is to try and make sure there is no smoke from the fires and make what there is less likely to drift near Dibden."

Burning is set to begin at the end of February and continue for a month.