A FREE-FOR-ALL of people and dogs at Credenhill Park Wood is resulting in litter, trampled wildlife habitat and the erosion of iron age earthworks, claims a neighbouring land-user.

Retired police officer Neville Walker who leases 1,000 acres of adjacent land for shooting and stalking is appealing to the Woodland Trust for tougher management policies.

The trust, which bought the historic 223-acre site after an appeal, says its aim is to increase public awareness and enjoyment of woodland. Free access is allowed at most of its woods.

Mr Walker, who says he supported the purchase in 2002, claims the organisation is "sending out the wrong message" by allowing unrestricted access at Credenhill.

"Everyone is walking everywhere. The place is criss-crossed by paths and the ramparts of the hill fort are being eaten away," he said.

"Dogs are running out of control and wildlife is being destroyed. Recently a dog killed a young deer fawn while its useless owner stood by and let it happen."

Mr Walker, of Orton, Leicester-shire, a member of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, spends his weekends in conservation, including tree planting and pond creation, on the land where he has sporting rights.

He has enjoyed walking in Park Wood for years but is now "saddened"- it is being turned into "a public playground" affecting the surrounding area, he claims.

Andy Sharkey, for the trust, told the Hereford Times the wood and its iron age hillfort was one of the trust's "flagship" sites. The trust was overwhelmed by local support for the appeal and plans to restore the site to its former glory.

He said: "We have begun a comprehensive programme of public engagement and activities to involve the local community, with the aim to engender a real sense of local ownership and inclusion.

"We now have an estate maintenance contract operating to control litter and carry out necessary repairs. We welcome constructive comments and information from visitors so we can ensure our woods are managed appropriately and that potential threats to their conservation are responded to at an early stage."

He added: "Credenhill Park Wood is a magical place and one we will be working hard to restore and protect."