Lincolnshire forester John Wilcockson called on the help of two mini-diggers as he set about creating a new all-ability trail.

London schoolboys Freddie (9) and Jack (6) Gibb were thrilled to see the new facility being built in their favourite woods.

Every time the two lads come to county to see their grandmother they make a bee-line for the Forestry Commission site, on the outskirts of Bourne.

Mr. Wilcockson, said: “I ordered up a huge pile of gravel to create our new trail. Having the boys on hand to give me encouragement made the work fun.

“Our new 1.5-mile route will take people right through every different type of habitat in the 248-hectare woodland.

“It will also help people stay clean and dry when they come to Bourne Wood.

“In winter some of the trails at the north end can become very wet and muddy. Now walkers will have a good firm surface to follow.”
The trail will be just right for people who have difficulty walking, or who use a wheelchair or pushchair.

It will replace the woodland’s old half-mile all-ability route. That was popular with more than 60 per cent of the 100,000 people who visit the site each year.

Bourne’s new £14,000 facility is expect to keep even more people smiling in future.

The two young brothers, whose grandmother, Mrs Isabel Gibb, lives in Bourne, agreed that the new trail had one disadvantage.

Freddie, said: “We don’t want to stay clean. We like splashing around in the mud.”

Anyone wanting information about other the new facility should ring 01780 444394.

Information about other Forestry Commission woodlands around the region can be found on the www.forestry.gov.uk website.

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information please contact Forestry Commission Ranger, Cheryl Joyce, on 01780 444394.

e-mail: cheryl.joyce@forestry.gsi.gov.uk