THERE is a chance to visit a south Shropshire beauty spot and see woodland as it used to be.

It happens at Clunton Coppice where visitors can watch Elza the horse at work, dragging heavy timber from the woodland on this nature reserve, owned by Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

Horse logging is a traditional form of woodland management, which is ideal on steep slopes and gentler on the ground flora than heavy machinery.

Elza and her owner Nick Burton, will be demonstrating its effectiveness.

“We will also be finding out what lives in the woods,” said Matthew Marston, Reserves Officer for Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

Shropshire Mammal Group will lead a walk looking for tracks and signs of mammals, including deer and foxes.

The ancient oak woodland is home to the rare and elusive dormouse.

Brian Barker from Shropshire Hills AONB will give a demonstration of wood cleaving, a traditional green woodworking skill.

Matthew Marston will be on hand to answer any questions about how the trust manages the reserve, and explain why it’s managed it in the way it is for wildlife, particularly woodland birds.

Tea, coffee, soup and jacket potatoes will be available on the day cooked on a campfire. Find the reserve by following the brown Clunton Coppice signs from Clunton village.

It happens on Saturday, March 9.There is an entry fee of £3 per adult, children free.