AN exciting new chapter in the history of Upton Heath, which was devastated by fire last summer, has opened following a much-needed funding boost to help repair the damage.

Community and wildlife lovers are celebrating after SITA Trust presented almost £120,000 to the restoration fund.

Coupled with money already raised by a public appeal, the vital cash will restore the international renowned heath near Poole which is home to extremely rare wildlife.

Last June’s blaze, Dorset’s biggest heath fire in 30 years, swept through a third of the heath – and the project will focus not only on the burnt 140 acres but on restoring a recently acquired section of the heath.

Upton Heath restoration project officer Andy Fale, said: “We are on the threshold of a very exciting period for Upton Heath, thanks to this funding and the generous donations from the public.

“We and the local community have an opportunity to restore the damaged and degraded habitats and bring the whole heath together as a 500-acre site of unbroken prime wildlife habitat; something that we can all take pride in once again.”

SITA Trust representative Jools Granville said: “Restor-ation work will include the introduction of traditional heath land grazing across the whole heath and removal of a block of invasive trees in the south-western section, as well as ongoing control of scrub, cutting of fire defendable lines, improved access and monitoring.”