Access improvements are set to start at an ancient south Norfolk woodland following a funding boost.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust has received a grant of �26,562 from the Veolia Environmental Trust to carry out work to Lower Wood, in Ashwellthorpe, near Wymondham.

The funding, awarded through the Landfill Communities Fund, will help to create a new access track and path into the wood, as well as install fencing, gates and native hedgerow at the Site of Special Scientific Interest.

New signage and interpretation materials will also be produced, along with a free leaflet about the nature reserve. Further work will include the creation of a new car park.

Currently, access is via a footpath across an often muddy field, with the only parking available on the main road in Ashwellthorpe.

Brendan Joyce, chief executive of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, said: 'Lower Wood Ashwellthorpe is one of Norfolk's few remaining ancient woodlands, and is rightly famous for its fantastic display of spring bluebells and ransoms. This grant will help more people to easily access and enjoy the site in future.'

Conservation volunteers from the Wymondham Nature Group help manage the site and their next work day is on October 2. For more details contact Anne Edwards on 01603 812309.