RESIDENTS are being invited to join in the work to help Swinley Forest recover from the devastating fires in May.

The Forestry Commission will hold a public meeting on Friday next week to talk about its restoration proposals, its schools' education programme and also volunteer tree planting days and fundraising activities.

This week, work has started to turn approximately 60,000 damaged trees into mulch, ready for a tree replanting programme.

Nick Hazlitt, beat forester for the commission, said: "The extent and impact of the forest fire has affected so many lives.

"The reaction from local people to the fires was very moving and showed their depth of support, so we wanted to let as many people as possible to be a part of the forest recovery and keep it at the heart of community life, treasured and safeguarded for their future." As part of the recovery plans, the commission would like to introduce new benches, dedicated pathways or trails, dog waste bins, information boards marking the fire and even introduce a ranger solely for the forest. However, these improvements would require fundraising and volunteer time.

This week, the commission brought in 20 tonne tree-mulching machinery to help clear up to 40 hectares over the next three weeks.

The first of up to 70,000 trees are due to be planted in November, then the remainder in February and March, with the help of volunteers from the local community.

The trees to be planted to replace those lost in the fires will include conifers, such as the Douglas fir, Scots pine and western hemlock, which will produce Forest Stewardship Council-certified sustainable timber.

In addition, broadleaf trees such as birch, chestnut and sessile oak- which are more fire resistant than confiers - will be introduced to the woods for the first time, planted on forest boundaries and alongside fire break roads and rides to help reduce the risk of fires spreading. A wider gap in trees than previously will be left along roads and fire break lines to provide further protection.

The fire in May was the largest since the Second World War tackled by Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which was helped by 11 other brigades when the flames were at their peak. The fire service has said the cause of the fire was impossible to trace.

The Forestry Commission will hold a public meeting on Friday next week from 6-9pm at the Morgan Centre in Wellington Road, Crowthorne, for people to find out more about the work and volunteer. Call 01962 795079 or email nick.hazlitt@forestry.gov.uk