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Part of Cannock Chase forest closed for four weeks for tree felling

A popular area of forest in Cannock Chase has been closed for four weeks so a number of pine trees can be cut down.

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A number of pine trees are being cut down around Birches Valley at Cannock Chase

Forestry England wants to stop the spread of a disease called Red Band Needle Blight, which has gripped Corsican pines, from infecting other trees.

It sees needles fall off the trees, making them bare and fragile, which poses a risk to people walking in the forest.

An area of forest measuring 35 hectares has been closed around the Forest Live music venue, in Birches Valley, Rugeley, until April 3, so the felling can take place. About 800 trees will be felled.

Tree felling will take place over the next four weeks

It has been shut on health and safety grounds due to the type of machinery that will be used.

Ground crews will use a machine called a Harvester that can cut trees into pieces of timber within minutes.

Pathways in and around the forest have been blocked off with barriers. Some of these are routes which are popular with mountain-bikers.

The area of land closed off by the Forestry Commission

Forestry England acknowledges the decision to close the forest won't be a popular decision among forest users, but says the work is vital.

This area of forest also hosts a cafe and a climbing park called Go Ape, which will be open during the forestry work.

Doug Stanley, 59, a forester for Forestry England at Cannock Chase, said: "We need to carry out this week to stop other trees getting the disease. The disease is carried on the wind.

Some of the trees which have been felled

"It makes the trees weak and that poses a risk to people enjoying the forest in case any trees were to fall.

"The disease causes needles to fall off the branches.

Trees were being taken down to stop the spread of a disease called Red Band Needle Blight

"All the old needles fall off, which the trees had before getting the disease. The trees only keep the new ones."

Forestry England owns two-thirds of the land, and all the forest, on Cannock Chase.

It is a working forest, meaning the trees are regularly cut down for commercial purposes, alongside providing a stunning area of natural beauty for members of the public to enjoy.