Trust hits target to to save holly

A major appeal to help safeguard one of the oldest groves of holly trees in Europe has reached its £250,000 target.

Shropshire Wildlife Trust staff said the fundraising appeal had been its most successful ever and meant it could now buy 90 acres of the area on the edge of the Stiperstones known as the Hollies.

At least 200 holly trees can be found scattered on the north-east edge of the Stiperstones.

The area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is a stronghold for redstarts, summer migrant birds.

More than 600 people have contributed a total of £35,000 to the appeal, which was given £149,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund in December.

A £90,000 grant from the Tubney Trust led to the trust reaching its target, it announced today. Bosses said they hoped to complete the purchase in April.

John Hughes, trust development manager, said: "The Hollies has struck a chord with everyone who has visited it and people who have never seen it before have sought it out as the result of the publicity.

"We're absolutely delighted to have reached the target and would like to thank everyone who has contributed so generously."

He said the trust would want to protect the site but to also enhance its "wildlife value".

"We would want to change the way the site is grazed and the heathland that cascades down from the Stiperstones we would want to spread further," he said.

"The key feature on the site is the holly trees themselves and we would manage the trees and plant some new ones on a regular basis.

"We would also like more people to go there, find it and enjoy it."

Some of the holly trees are thought to be three or four centuries old.

Wildlife trust bosses say their survival is unique. While there is evidence that holly pollarding was practiced in other areas, the holly forests have all but vanished. Most will have been grubbed up and others lost through neglect.