A conservation group formed in 1977 are seeking volunteers to help preserve woodland.

Epping Forest Conservation Volunteers was formed 38 years ago by its first chairman Martyn Simons after staff at the field centre in High Beech, who carried out preservation work while off-duty, bowed out.

The 100-member team, all of which volunteer from the local area, perform a key role in preserving the 6,000 acres of woodland.

Led by chairman Brian McGhie, they help to clear overgrown areas, keep ponds alive and protect all forms of wildlife.

This month the team, whose range between 16 to 80 years, have already removed overgrown birch, broom and bramble from an area in Wanstead Flats and cut back access tracks in Epping.

Mr McGhie said: “we mainly work within the boundaries of Epping Forest to preserve the forest which is important for wildlife.

“We are looking for volunteers from any of our surrounding areas.

“You do not have to be a certain age or have any experience to help out.

“Nature conservation in woodland is a nationwide problem and we are doing our best locally to keep our forest alive."

The group meet on alternative Sunday's at The Warren, opposite Rangers Road in Loughton at 9.30am unless a specific task on their list, which can be viewed here, shows otherwise.

For more information on becoming a volunteer you can contact Brian McGhie on 01992573514 or 07811369983.