Some very heavy horses are trotting into West Wickham to help conserve an area of ancient woodland. 

The City of London Corporation (CLC), which owns Spring Park, Bromley, has won £5,000 in funding for an environmental initiative. 

Now in its second year, the ‘Small-leaved Lime Conservation Project’ was set up to protect a population of Lime trees, thought to be the largest in the capital. 

And as rangers, volunteers, and contractors come together to encourage regrowth, they’ve been given a helping hand by the animals.

Described as "magnificent beasts" by the organisation, the horses will drag timber produced from coppicing to be sold to raise more money. 

Spring Park senior ranger Barry Gutteridge said: "We are really pleased to receive this grant because it allows us to conserve these important and rare trees.

"We will also have the opportunity to share traditional woodland management techniques with the local community and we are really looking forward to them getting involved." 

News Shopper: Heavy horses and tea at Spring Park

The horses, large, strong, and used for draught work for centuries, provide a more sensitive approach to the woodland and also keeps a skilled traditional craft alive, says the CLC.

Jools Granville, from the SITA Trust, which donated the £5,000, said: "We are delighted to have been able to support this project." 

Spring Park is an ancient woodland and Site of Nature Conservation Importance.