A SPECTACULAR woodland garden near Chagford has benefitted from a winter tidy up by an enthusiastic band of volunteers.

Members of the Sticklepath and Okehampton Conservation Group helped to clear away winter debris from Stone Lane Gardens, a five-acre arboretum that holds important national collections of wild birch and alder trees.

Since the death of the garden's creator, Kenneth Ashburner, in July 2010, a charity has been formed to safeguard Stone Lane's future.

The garden is open every day from noon to dusk in winter, and 2pm to 6pm in summer.

Garden manager Paul Bartlett worked with the group, and was delighted with the work carried out: 'About thirty of the group joined us for most of the day, and what a difference they made.

'Swooping down on all the fallen branches and twigs, they soon created many mounds of debris, most of which we stacked at the edges of the garden to create habitat piles for a variety of insects, birds, invertebrates, fungi, mosses and lichens.

'Other parties dug up and cut back some of our more invasive Rubus species, a shrub that while attractive in small areas, can soon become a handful in the garden.

'Further clearance of sedge was carried out around the boggier side of the garden, opening up areas for future new planting with more interesting plants.

'We were lucky with the weather, the sun shone and everyone seemed to enjoy the peaceful nature of the garden.

'I would like to thank all those who turned out for a really tremendous effort.'

For more information visit the garden's new website http://www.stonelanegardens.com">www.stonelanegardens.com or call 01647 231311.