A two-year habitat-restoration project is set to boost wildlife at a Dorset heath.

As part of the £1.2-million project, Dorset Council is removing hundreds of invasive pine trees from Avon Heath Country Park to help rejuvenate the heathland.

The 210-ha site is home to all of Britain’s native reptile species including Smooth Snake, along with specialist birds such as European Nightjar and Woodlark.