A woodlands volunteer from Welling is urging people to protect their surroundings after a large section of Bostall Woods went up in flames.

The fire destroyed the homes of several nesting animals and insects, including a colony of the endangered stag beetle.

Friends of Bostall Heath and Woods acting vice-chairman Trevor Russell, 71, said dog walkers called London Fire Brigade after spotting the flames on June 6.

After the fire was extinguished at around 6.50pm the 0.25 hectare area of woodland was left in a charred, burnt out mess.

He said: "What really annoys me more than anything is we know that we have a stag beetle colony here and they're becoming rare."

News Shopper:

Trevor Russell with the charred remains of the oak tree.

The 15ft fallen oak tree was also home to squirrels, blackbirds and a robin's nest.

Members of the Friends of Bostall Woods group, who have been volunteering for the past decade, have worked extensively on the area of woodland which was destroyed by the fire.

They give up their time to clear the pathways and dense shrub, plant new trees and install benches for the public to enjoy.

Mr Russell, of Somerhill Road, thought the fire may have been started deliberately, following previous incidents and the arson attack on play equipment in neighbouring Lesnes Abbey Woods on June 9.

News Shopper:

The scene of the fire.

But Bexley borough commander Richard Welch said it was more likely to have been caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette on a warm, dry day.

He told News Shopper: "There was nothing to suggest it was arson.

"When you're in woodlands with any ignitions like a cigarette, please, please don't throw it on to the floor without extinguishing it."

Because of the position of the fire within the woodland firefighters from two appliances were forced to use water back packs in their efforts to put out the blaze.