Peter McFarlane, 45, who helps make up a four-strong team which dedicate their spare time to maintaining the Kilpatricks community woodland was also instrumental in ensuring school children and local people helped to plant 10,000 trees.

The Bowling man ended up as a volunteer ranger after questioning work that was taking place in the area.

Peter said: “I am an outdoor writer and photographer and I am up there at least once a week. I noticed a lot of fences going up and decided to investigate to see what was going on. I met with the site manager and walked the hills with him. He talked me through what they were doing and then asked if I was interested in becoming a volunteer.”