Epping Forest volunteers have clocked up 81,813 working hours in the last four years.

Last night some of the most dedicated conservation groups and helpers were honoured by the City of London Corporation which manages the forest.

Volunteers in the ancient woodland have done the equivalent of 10,226 days of service since 2010.

Epping Forest’s 227 volunteers were recognised at an awards ceremony at The Butler's Retreat in Chingford last week.

Among the award winners was Sean Green, one of the coporation's three new apprentice conservation arborists, who has been volunteering for over a year.

Alderman Gordon Haines, chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Epping Forest Committee, said: “The dedication of our wonderful team of volunteers is helping us to improve the experience for visitors to Epping Forest.

"A brilliant example is last year's major improvements made to Jubilee Pond. Volunteers contributed immensely to this project which was a wonderful opportunity to revitalise such a popular part of Epping Forest.

"As part of our Heritage Lottery funded ‘Branching Out’ project we’re recruiting more volunteers across the whole Forest. If you are 16 to 80 years old and want to get involved, we want to hear from you.”