THE secrets of Herefordshire's historic Moccas Park are about to be revealed in a landmark publication which explores the history, flora and fauna of the wood which dates back to the 13th century.

The ancient forest, nestling just 12 miles west of Herefordshire, is internationally renowned for its wildlife and forest fauna and is second only to Windsor among forests in Britain.

The new publication - from English Nature - provides a detailed account of the history, wildlife and management of Moccas Park, Britain's first parkland National Nature Reserve.

Contributions from 24 nationally recognised specialists are illustrated with numerous photographs, maps, drawings and tables.

The 348-page volume, called 'Moccas: an English deer park', also contains a chapter by Herefordshire Council's senior collections officer, Jon Cooter, who was consulted on the benchmark publication.

"The park has probably been in existence since 1290 and this book traces the history of the area back to Neolithic times and records the development and changes up to the present," said Jon.

"This is followed by chapters concerned with landscape and the historic trees made famous by Rev. Kilvert; the flora and the fauna as well as estate management.

"Although the park was landscaped by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in the late 1700s, Humphrey Repton did further work in the 1790s with Richard Payne Knight and Uvedale Price, founders of the Picturesque Movement, advising during the 1800s. The book lists all the lichens, mosses, fungi and vascular plants, beetles, flies and other invertebrates, birds and mammals known to occur in the park.

"This is a landmark publication for the most historically important wood in the county. I feel honoured to have written a chapter and I'm sure many people will find the book a fascinating read," added John.

Copies of the book are available in Herefordshire only from Hereford Museum, Broad Street at £20 (£25 by post). Contact Hereford Museum on 01432 260692.