SOME of the Herefordshire landscape's finest features are under threat the Government wildlife watchdog English Nature has warned.

Pollution along parts of the Wye, Lugg and Teme, overgrazing in the Black Mountains and increased 'browsing' damage by wild deer in various locations are major problems.

The threats to a few large wildlife sites in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are 'skewing' the otherwise good results of a lengthy condition survey of Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

The number of individual SSSI units in the two counties in 'favourable' condition is much higher than average.

A national survey showed that many of England's natural assets are in decline. Though more than half the nation's SSSIs - 58% - were in good condition, 42% were 'in need of improvement.'

In Hereford and Worcester the poor condition of a few large sites skewed the picture so that only 45 per cent by area were found to be in an ideal condition.

In pinpointing river pollution, overgrazing and deer damage English Nature said they were issues which it could not tackle alone.

Area team manager Rob Williams said the Government had made a commitment to the public to ensure 95% of all SSSIs were in favourable condition by 2010.

"Our work shows where this is being achieved, where the problems are and what needs to be done," said Mr Williams. "Meeting this challenge will be a huge effort.''