Led by the Green Light Trust, the project will work with groups across the local community to conserve the precious woodland habitat and enable people to explore and enjoy the wood.

Key to the restoration works will be re-establishing a coppice regime. Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management which takes advantage of the fact that many trees make new growth from the stump or roots if cut back. In a coppiced wood, young tree stems are repeatedly cut back to near ground level, allowing more daylight in and encouraging the regeneration of rare plants such as orchids, oxslips and wood anemones.

Alongside the conservation of the woodland itself, a new 1km woodland trail will be created with innovative interpretation so people can learn about the historic role of woodlands, the flora and fauna that make up the wildlife habitats and the importance of managing our natural heritage.

Opportunities will also be created for volunteers to learn practical woodland and conservation skills, such as coppicing, wood carving and hurdle making.

Robyn Llewellyn, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East of England, said: "Frithy Wood is a wonderful example of Suffolk's important natural heritage, and thanks to the Green Light Trust people from across the community will have the chance to learn new skills, discover new passions and play their part as custodians of our wonderful natural heritage."

Green Light Trust's chief executive Mark Pritchard said: "This is great news for us and we are looking forward to working with our partners and the wider community to restore Frithy Wood. It is wonderful woodland and we are very proud to play our part in its continued conservation and stewardship."

Green Light Trust (GLT) empowers local communities to take ownership of and manage their local natural environment. Over the last10 years the organisation has supported the development of 58 projects across Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex involving some 3,000 local volunteers.

GLT has a range of environmental education programmes using the natural heritage as a key tool for personal development and this includes heritage learning through practical conservation. Through these activities GLT also supports marginalised groups in society as well as working with a range of other organisations.

Notes to editors

Green Light Trust is an environmental charity that gives people and nature a chance. It is based in the village of Lawshall near Bury St Edmunds and has been working across the East of England and beyond since 1989. Green Light Trust has an excellent track record of enabling people, communities and organisations to develop themselves and learn about their relationship with nature to create sustainable lives and a future that protects our planet.

Further information

Please contact Phil Cooper at Heritage Lottery Fund, on 07889 949 173 email: phillipc@hlf.org.uk.

Ashley Seaborne at Green Light Trust on: 01284 830 829 or ashley@greenlighttrust.org.