A new grant scheme has been launched which could help preserve some of the 651 hectares of ancient woodland in Bradford.

The Forestry Commission is to provide up to 80 per cent of the money needed to remove non-native trees, which have been planted over the years to bolster timber reserves, as well as open up the tree canopy to let in more light and allow wild flowers to flourish.

Forest chiefs want to see more of these woods regain their ancient character and have drawn up a map identifying sites across West Yorkshire which they want to target.

As well as the hectares in this district, there are 867 in Calderdale, 1,102 hectares in Kirklees, 730 hectares in Leeds, and 525 hectares in Wakefield.

Iwan Downey, Forestry Commission operations manager, said: “The Forestry Commission is committed to restoring all the ancient woods on its estate. But regionally, about 90 per cent of all such sites are in private or local authority hands or in the charitable sector. Getting them in better shape will be a massive boost to wildlife and plants and these grants will be a big help.”

Jane Glaister, Bradford Council’s strategic director for culture, tourism and sport, said: “Over the next five years, we hope to get about £85,000 in grants from The Forestry Commission to improve woodland in the Bradford district.

“We are working with the White Rose Forest Partnership in mapping and assessing all our woodlands to enable us to apply for these grants to improve areas such as Judy Woods in South Bradford, St Ives in Bingley and Middleton Wood in Ilkley – one of the best bluebell woods in England.”

Councillor, the Reverend Paul Flowers, the Council’s executive member for culture and planning, said: “Our countryside and woodland are among the district’s principal assets and I fully support action that improves them and helps to promote greater public access.”