POPULAR woods near Westbury is to close next month for temporary work to help protect the area.

Clanger and Picket Woods, situated between Trowbridge and Westbury, will close from August 20 for three months to improve access for visitors, combat waterlogged, muddy paths and to protect nature.

The charity Woodland Trust, who are overseeing the improvements, said that the work will help ensure that the wood can be enjoyed by local people and so that sensitive areas can be protected.

Georgie Barnard, Woodland Trusts Contracts Manager, said: “Paths get very wet and muddy which can lead to people taking alternative routes that affect nesting ground birds.”

“Better trackways will not just safeguard the woods’ soil, plant and insect diversity, but it will make this popular and very special ancient wood more accessible to local people, schools and community groups. We hope people will be sympathetic to these closures”.