More than £40,000 of council money has been approved for "drastic" measures to combat invasive species in a Co Down woodland.
The popular Delamont Country Park in Killyleagh, which attracts thousands of visitors each year, is to undergo an extensive natural restoration beginning this month.
A survey carried out by the Woodland Trust in 2021 produced a restoration management plan which identified invasive woodland species, such as Rhododendron and Cherry Laurel, inhibiting the natural growth and regeneration of native trees.
Read more: Ancient woodland an hour from Belfast opens to public after 500 years.
SDLP Rowallane councillor Terry Andrews, who supported the environment funding in council chambers last week, outlined his support for the decision following the meeting.
He said: "This is the jewel in the crown of our district and it needs to be supported by the council.
"I am very passionate about Delamont, which I have been visiting from a very young age, it is a wonderful facility much in the same light as Kilbroney Park in Co Down and Slieve Gullion in south Armagh.
"There are a lot of protected species in Delamont and we must tackle the invasive plants, so this funding is essential for the woodland area.
"I welcome the efforts of the team to enhance and protect the park to rejuevinate the natural tree species."
A council spokesperson said: "Contractors appointed by the Woodland Trust on behalf of the council, are removing these invasive species in an attempt to restore the woodland ecosystem.
"They will be cut at ground level, extracted and the stumps treated with an approved herbicide.
"These drastic methods are the only way to successfully remove these tough plants and prevent regrowth. And by removing the invasive species, the native woodland plants such as bluebells and native tree species will be allowed to thrive with better exposure to the light.
"The treated areas of woodland in Delamont will soon regenerate naturally."
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