TWO-thirds of the adults who took part in a survey in said they would like there to be more woodland.

The survey also found that wildlife and attractive scenery were determining factors when people chose to visit a woodland.

These are among the findings of the Public Opinion of Forestry 2003 Report, published by the Forestry Commission.

The study assessed public attitudes to forestry and forestry-related issues. People gave their four main reasons for using public money to support woodland.

They included providing places for wildlife to live, providing places to visit and walk, helping prevent the greenhouse effect and global warming, and to improve the landscape.

About 60 per cent of respondents believed the region's woodland was decreasing, even though the opposite is true, and 27 per cent were aware of campaigns to promote the county's woodland.

However, 87 per cent of respondents recognised the work undertaken by the Forestry Commission in improving woodland habitats.

Almost a third of those who replied said they would like to be consulted about plans for creating, managing or using woodlands.

Peace and quiet, wildlife, and attractive scenery were the most important factors when choosing to visit woodland, each identified by about two thirds of respondents.