A CONSERVATION charity has officially signed on the dotted line to take ownership of an ancient woodland on the edge of the Malvern Hills.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust is now the owner of the 38.5 hectare Blackhouse Wood at Suckley Ridge, home to the endangered dormouse, after raising more than £200,000 through a fundraising campaign.

The trust is now set to begin a long programme of improvement works including removing conifers and restocking the wood with native trees, planting more oak and field maple trees while also running visitor activities such as guided walks and a downloadable audio trail.

The charity’s head of resources Kate Thomas said the woodland fulfilled an important role in the wider landscape.

“It adjoins our Crews Hill nature reserve and is only one kilometre from one of our nature reserves, The Knapp and Papermill, both of which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest," she said.

“The western edge of the wood also includes a number of former hand quarries that provide access to the area’s geological strata.

“Buying and protecting the wood will have a significant contribution to the conservation of a landscape that links the Malvern Hills and the Wyre Forest.”

She added the cash to buy the site was raised through donations and grants from bodies including the Heritage Lottery Fund and Severn Waste Services and said the fundraising campaign had been the most successful the charity had ever run.

“With everyone’s help we’ve been able to seize this rare opportunity to buy and protect a piece of ancient woodland with its abundant flora and fauna, including the elusive dormouse,” she said.

“The trust had to commit up to £200,000 of its own resources, which came from kind supporters who left legacies in their wills to ensure wildlife conservation in the county.

“We are confident that securing the future of this special woodland is exactly the sort of action that would fully meet their wishes.”

Head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands Reyahn King said: “We are happy to add our support to a project that will secure the future of this important wildlife site, conserve and enhance its biodiversity and provide people with a more rewarding visitor experience.”

For more information visit worcswildlifetrust.co.uk.