CLEARING up has been underway at a Ludlow beauty spot.

A small Ludlow charity which helps to care for the town’s popular beauty spot, Whitcliffe Common, is counting the cost of Storm Arwen.

Friends of Whitcliffe Common expect the devastation caused by the storm to run into thousands of pounds.

They face a programme of work to clear felled trees which are blocking paths plus safety work on others damaged by the storm.

Members of its volunteer workforce have already cleared the Breadwalk and dealt with smaller fallen trees. But others are far too large and will require the work of qualified tree surgeons and their specialised equipment.

“This is without doubt the largest problem facing us since 2007 when the wet weather caused so much damage,” said Daphne Jones, chair of the Friends.

“This time is it the high winds of Storm Arwen which have wreaked so much devastation.”

“Friends of Whitcliffe Common works in partnership with leaseholders Shropshire Wildlife Trust to care for the common.

“We are currently assessing the situation. But we already know that at least 20 trees will need serious work,” added Ms Jones.

“All this is in addition to a large scale programme we were already facing due to ageing trees and ash die back – more work which will cost a great deal of money.

“As well as the ash die back, Friends of Whitclife Common and Shropshire Wildlife Trust will, in the coming months, undertake a survey of large trees above the popular Breadwalk where, in recent months, two massive trees fell and blocked the walk.

“We already knew this was going to be a hard winter. Storm Arwen has added massively to our problems.”

The storm caused the abandonment of the Ludlow Medieval Fayre and the cancellation of the Christmas and Tree of Light switch-on.