MARWELL Wildlife is famous for helping protect species overseas.

Now the zoo is doing more to preserve the flora and fauna on its own doorstep.

It wants to restore the ancient woodland that surrounds much of the parkland zoo near Colden Common.

Twenty volunteers from Veolia Environmental Services gave a helping hand by cutting invasive species and preparing the ground for the planting of native plants and trees.

The 30-hectare woodland has become overgrown in recent years and some areas have invasive species such as rhododendron.

This week marks the start of a 10-year plan to improve its diversity and restore the wood to its former glory.

This first year of restoration is being supported by a grant of £15,000 from The Veolia Environmental Trust, made through the Landfill Communities Fund.

The woodland is home to rare species including early purple orchids, dog’s mercury and the edible pignut. Many native and migrating wild birds and mammals, including the nationally rare yellow necked mouse, also live there.

Dr Guy Parker, Marwell’s head of biodiversity management, said: “By using traditional woodland management practices, such as coppicing, and re-establishing woodland rides and edges, we hope to improve the structural diversity of these special habitats, and encourage rare species back to the area.”

Volunteer Rachael Hughes from Veolia Environmental Services’s commerical services depot in Portsmouth, said: “It’s great to be able to give something back to the community and be part of a long-term project. I can’t wait to bring my family to Marwell to show them what I have been involved in.