HIGH winds have torn down a large oak tree and cut off access to a popular children's woodland trail.

Staff at the Dean Heritage Centre came in last Thursday morning (January 9) to find the tree had fallen across the entry of the Gruffalo trail – just missing one of the carvings from the heritage site.

The tree has also blocked off entry to the adventure playground and woodland area which spans the entire brook and edge of the mill pond.

Only days before maintenance staff had been working hard to keep the trail open following days of heavy rain and flooding which had closed parts of the heritage site.

Now a "delicate" operation is underway to carefully remove the tree by the grounds maintenance team and professional chainsaw carvers.

Clayton Ryder, site maintenance officer said: "It's a big job. The constant rainfall has washed away the ground surrounding the tree and rotted its central root system causing it to fall during the night. The removal will need to be done in stages in order to anticipate the trees movements and ensure the safety of the staff involved."

The Gruffalo's child trail and the centre's woodland paths will remain closed until the tree has been removed and the trails can be reopened safely for visitors.

Centre manager, Nathalie Hall said: "Heavy rain and flooding is a continuous problem on our site and maintenance staff work tirelessly, clearing debris and repairing flood damage so the centre can remain operational.

"It is unfortunate that having just reopened the trail the fallen tree means we have to restrict access to our woodland area and adventure playground. The good news is that the tree fell during the night and not during opening hours as that could have been far more catastrophic."

Visitors will still have full access to the centre's building, café, shop, cottage and craft activities.