A GENEROUS gift of £10,000 given to the National Trust is helping to restore a Lake District beauty spot.

Martin Pedley's legacy donation is funding the traditional woodland practice of horse logging at Tarn Hows, near Coniston.

Over the next five years, trust rangers will thin out areas of dense woodland opening up views around the tarn.

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Moving the felled trees in this ecologically sensitive landscape is the job of the nimble-footed ‘draught’ horse.

They can reach places that modern, heavy forestry machinery cannot with the minimum of impact on the local ecology.

Mr Pedley loved walking in the area and enjoyed picnics in the landscape with his family.

Given his love of landscape and trees, Martin’s daughters feel it is a fitting use of his legacy and something their father would have approved of.

More than 300,000 people visit Tarn Hows every year, for its iconic views and accessible walks.

Many may not realise how much work is involved in looking after it, a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ (SSSI) with important bogs and other habitats that are protected by UK law.

Richard Tanner, a National Trust woodland ranger, said: “We want to see the trees for the woods, as Marshall intended. The carefully selected trees are felled and then the timber is extracted.

"Horses are perfect for this job and it’s good to see them return to this well-loved landscape, working as they would have in the 19th century when Tarn Hows was created.

“Thanks to the support of many people – through donations, gifts in wills, memberships and visits to properties - we are able to look after all the places in our care. Every penny makes a difference to what we can do.”

Anyone interested in finding out more can join a free guided walk at Tarn Hows each Wednesday at 11am until September 26 or visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tarn-hows-and-coniston