A PROJECT to restore an ancient North York Moors wood which provides a key habitat for many animals to its historic roots has secured £40,000 of funding.

The Forestry Commission with Natural England has scooped the Government funds to carry out the work at West Arncliffe and Park Hole Woods, near Whitby.

The site dates back to at least 1600 and it provides a habitat key habitat for wildlife and plants such as rare ferns and grasses.

The wood stretches for 44 hectares at Glaisdale but in the 20th century thousands of densely planted Western hemlock conifers were put in.

The hemlock is now to be felled to allow trees like sessile oak to regenerate.

Stewart Bates, who owns the wood, said: "Removing the Western hemlock will be a major boost, piercing the gloom with nourishing sunlight and preventing plants like the ferns from being shaded out.

"The wood is an oasis of calm which on a sunny day is a delight to the senses. It will be immensely satisfying watching it regain its full vigour."

The scheme comes after an alarming survey eight years ago showed that many areas of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), like the woods, were in a poor state.

This led the Forestry Commission in partnership with Natural England to strive to reverse the trend.

Mick Hoban, Forestry Commission woodland officer, said: "Targets are important, but the key thing is the difference this kind of work makes on the ground.

"Arncliffe and Park Hole Woods are a majestic part of the Glaisdale valley around the River Esk.

"By focusing our grants on improving the condition of SSSIs like this we will reap the maximum dividend in boosting bio-diversity and helping a fragile environment."

The Forestry Commission has worked hard to improve the condition of the 16 SSSI’s on its 22,400 hectare estate in North Yorkshire.

They include Sieve Dale Fen in Dalby Forest, near Pickering, the only English haven for the very rare soldier fly.

Andrew Windrum, lead SSSI advisor with Natural England, said: West Arncliffe and Park Hole Woods is a key site for us.

"We’re very pleased that work will soon get underway thanks to a forward thinking landowner and support from the Forestry Commission and North York Moors National Park Authority."