VOLUNTEERS are needed to clear bracken from Blaenavon World Heritage site.

Staff from the Forgotten Landscapes Project are looking for volunteers with long sticks to bash the plants. Bracken is an invasive species and in some of the affected areas in Blaenavon it has been encroaching on areas of dwarf shrub heath at a rate of 15 metres a year. Dwarf shrub heath is a priority UK habitat that supports important species such as red grouse.

Beat the Bracken activity days will be held at the Keeper's Pond car park on July 23 and July 27 at the Fox Hunter car park. All events will take place between 10am and 3pm.

Volunteer manager, Sarah Lewis said: "Bruising the plants will kill them and stop them from coming back to the area. If the dwarf shrub heath can be encouraged to return, this will hopefully create corridors linking up the pockets of dwarf shrub heath for the benefit of the wildlife that depends on this habitat."

The activities will also keep footpaths clear being beneficial for walkers as well as helping local farmers with rounding up their sheep.

The areas for the bracken beating have been recommended by the Countryside Council of Wales (CCW).

The Forgotten Landscapes Project is funded by the Heritage Lottery and a range of other partners.

Booking is required for these events - call 01495 742333 for more information.