EASTLEIGH Council's Countryside Service is turn-ing the clock back 150 years so that country lovers can once again enjoy a real purple patch in the cor-ner of the borough.

In bygone years Telegraph Woods had large areas of heathland, open country covered mostly in purple heather and home to a wide range of plants and animals.

Today only a tiny fragment is left because of the planting of pine trees and natural growth of other trees and shrubs.

Now, with the help of local people, visitors could soon be roaming in the heather again at this historic wildlife site.

Assistant countryside manager Richard Mould says: "Most of Telegraph Woods will remain as woodland but there is room to restore a decent sized area of heathlands so that visitors will have an idea of how the area used to look."

It will also provide a home for wildlife which has become rare as heaths have been lost and destroyed during this century.

The countryside service will be running a workday at Telegraph Wood, West End, on Sunday September 12.

Volunteers can lend a hand any time between 10am and 4pm and should wear wellingtons or stout footwear and old clothes.

Gloves and tools will be provided and there will be a free barbecue at lunchtime for anyone who wants to stay all day. The work area will be signed from the main site entrance in Telegraph Road.

Local residents will be able to work with volunteer rangers from Itchen Valley Country Park to clear bushes, fell trees and expose bare ground to encourage new heather plants to grow.

Mr Mould added: "Hampshire contains 30 per cent of all the remaining heathland in the UK so I feel we have a special responsibility for it.

"I am hoping that lots of other people will feel the same way and come along to help push that figure a bit higher."

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