ANCIENT trees across Worcestershire will be put on the map thanks to a £50,000 lottery grant.

The money, from the Heritage Lottery Fund, will pay to recruit and train volunteers who will identify and record the county's most historic trees.

The scheme has been set up by volunteer naturalists' group the Worcestershire Recorders, working with the Worcestershire Biological Records Centre at Lower Smite Farm, near Worcester.

Harry Green, of Worcestershire Recorders, said: "It's fantastic news to receive this grant.

"These trees have huge historical and cultural significance as the oldest living things to be seen in the Worcestershire landscape, as well as massive ecological value because of the decaying wood they contain which provides a home and food for many rare insects.

"Our project will celebrate and document this key part of Worcestershire's rural heritage by involving local people in recording the ancient trees within their parish. Once we know where these fascinating trees are, we hope the information will help protect them in the future."

A project officer will be employed to develop and run a series of events and activities alongside the tree mapping to help explain the importance of the ancient trees for wildlife and within the local landscape.

Local volunteers wanting to take part in the ancient tree survey will be given training in tree identification, survey and mapping techniques and use of the database on which the survey results will be recorded.

Commenting on the award, Heritage Lottery Fund regional manager Anne Jenkins said: "These ancient trees are the great survivors of our countryside from majestic parkland oaks to gnarled and pollarded oaks and ashes in hedges.

"This project will record these grand old trees and help ensure they are not neglected and lost in the future.

"It's a wonderful chance for people to get involved and find out more about the historic landscape around them."