BURNING has begun on areas of heathland on North Hill, Minehead, as part of a ten-year upland management plan.

North Hill, part of the National Trust's Holnicote Estate, is western maritime heathland dominated by gorse, bell heather and bristle best grass.

This environment is only found in Somerset, North Devon and Brittany and currently stands to be declared a Special Area of Conservation by the European Union.

In the past, it was general practice to burn vast areas of heathland each year, creating a uniform countryside scene, but today it is the policy to rotate burning.

Between October and mid-February, 60 per cent of heathland is burned in small patches of four to six hectares which are rotated every ten to 15 years.

This ensures a patchwork of heather and gorse of varying vintage, supporting a wide variety of plant and wildlife.

This is vital for the survival of many insects, birds and butterflies including several endangered species.

The other 40 per cent is left in order to retain the old heather, which is a popular nesting ground for the endangered merlin and an invaluable habitat for several rare plants such as the cranberry and sundew, only found in Somerset on wet heathland.

Holnicote countryside manager Nigel Hester said: "Conditions for burning must be perfect to obtain maximum benefit.

"A sharp wind in the right direction will quickly help burn off the vegetation, leaving the mossy underlayer containing the seed bank and many invertebrates unscathed.

"This, of course, promotes healthy new growth in early spring."

The trust also encourages all year round grazing on some areas of heathland - the beef cattle to be found on North Hill at this time of year are actually helping the high brown fritillary butterfly in its struggle for survival.

The caterpillars depend on the violets growing under the bracken for food and, by breaking down the bracken, they enable more light to permeate through to the plant.

The National Trust organises walks for people interested in the heathland areas of North Hill. Leaflets are available from the estate office on 01643 862452.