SCOUTS from all over England headed to High Beach to take part in vital conservation work to help secure the future of Epping Forest.

The explorer scouts aged arrived at the Fairmead campsite this week to take part in the annual event organised by the City of London Corporation.

The boys and girls, all aged between 14 and 18 built bridges for cyclists, walkers and horses, drained stagnant ponds and chopped down parasitic Beech trees that had crept onto meadow lands.

Everyone taking part in the week-long activity will get credit towards their Duke of Edinburgh gold award and the Queen's scouts award- the highest scouting honour in the UK.

Honorary warden of the Fairmead campsite Mike Hacker said: “We've been running this programme for the past 21 years and they always really enjoy it.

"Some of them have never done this kind of work before and it's a good chance to try something new.” For more information on the project visit explorerproject.co.uk