With its towering pine trees, acres of gorse and weathered sandy ridges typical of the Brecks you might think Thetford Forest and its surroundings are ancient.

But the forest itself is much younger than first impressions might suggest.

Eastern Daily Press: Machinery used in Thetford forestry on February 3, 1959.Machinery used in Thetford forestry on February 3, 1959. (Image: Archant Library)

In fact, it was planted after the First World War to provide the country with a strategic timber reserve.

During the conflict Britain struggled to meet wartime demand for timber with half the country's productive trees felled between 1914-1916.

On September 1, 1919 the Forestry Act established the Forestry Commission, now known as Forestry England, to develop new forests, produce timber and promote forestry.

Eastern Daily Press: Thetford Forest and forestry. Pictured: Creosote plant, Santon Downham. Date: April 1969.Thetford Forest and forestry. Pictured: Creosote plant, Santon Downham. Date: April 1969. (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: A caterpillar tractor connected to a mechanical scraper makes speedy work of excavating the site of the reservoir which is to be constructed at Barrow Hill, Thetford - September 1959.A caterpillar tractor connected to a mechanical scraper makes speedy work of excavating the site of the reservoir which is to be constructed at Barrow Hill, Thetford - September 1959. (Image: Archant Library)

In the early 1920s it began purchasing land and planting the trees that would form Thetford Forest.

And there were many willing hands ready to help.

The depression of the 1920s meant unemployment was high and people were suffering.

The Forestry Commission hired people to clear the land and plant trees - with workers enjoying the added bonus of a tied cottage and allotment coming with the jobs.

Eastern Daily Press: Thetford Forest and forestry. Pictured: Walkie-talkie used for anti-fire exercise. Date: 1953.Thetford Forest and forestry. Pictured: Walkie-talkie used for anti-fire exercise. Date: 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

By the 1940s, there was a central processing plant. Post-war mechanisation and chainsaws allowed timber to be felled and processed on an industrial scale, crucial to rebuilding efforts after the ravages of the Second World War.

Please enjoy these old photos of Thetford Forest from our archive.

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Eastern Daily Press: Thetford forestry servive, 1953.Thetford forestry servive, 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: The forestry commission has its own fire service at Thetford Forest. Pictured is the crew of one of the fire tenders getting aboard when the alarm sounded, June 1953.The forestry commission has its own fire service at Thetford Forest. Pictured is the crew of one of the fire tenders getting aboard when the alarm sounded, June 1953. (Image: Archant Library)