VITAL restoration work has started on ancient hedgerows at a West Dorset Farm.

The hedgerows at Rye Water Farm Nature Reserve are considered vital for wildlife, wildflowers and plants.

Conservation charity Plantlife is carrying out the work thanks to funding from SITA Trust.

The site, based in Corscombe, has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is a candidate Special Area of Conservation.

The restoration will involve laying the hedgerow shrubs, which involves cutting and laying down the upright stems.

With over 30 different styles of doing this, Plantlife will use the ‘Dorset style’ where stems of shrubs are laid close to the ground without binding or heathering.

Mature oak trees will be retained along the full length of the hedge.

Joe Costley, who will be leading the work for Plantlife, said: “It’s fantastic news that we have received funding from SITA Trust to carry out this work as the hedgerows at Ryewater Farm are vital.

“Small fields enclosed by woods and tall, thick hedgerows are part of the distinctive landscape character of this area. Most importantly the hedgerows at Ryewater support a whole host of plants and wildlife.”

The hedgerows at Ryewater Farm contain over 15 tree and shrub species and the adjoining grassland contains an array of wild flowers including common spotted orchid, betony, meadow thistle and corky-fruited water-dropwort.

At this time of year, some of the Ryewater hedgerows are dripping in hawthorn, elder, sloes, spindle, blackberries and even a few crab apples.

Joe said: “They need to be maintained or they will develop into a line of trees, which then eventually topple over one by one – and ultimately the hedge is lost.

“This would be a disaster for wildlife such as bullfinch and song thrush that make use of these hedgerows for feeding and nesting.

“The birds need thick bushy hedges with plenty of cover, and this restoration work will give them the perfect home for many winters to come.

“The work will also reduce shading of the ancient meadows that the hedgerows enclose, of benefit to a fabulous array of wild flowers.”