A TREE lover from Droitwich Spa is sacrificing competition cash to improve local woodland.

Tree warden Roger Claxton, of Westwood Close, scooped £2,000 in a national draw run by the Tree Council, after contributing to a countrywide survey of warden activities.

The scheme, sponsored by National Grid, supports volunteer wardens and now 60 -year-old tree warden Roger wants to invest the cash in Droitwich Woods, off Omberlsey Way.

He told the Advertiser: "I plan to spend the money on thinning, opening up pathways with glades and coppicing some areas to give a more natural profile and let light into the wood.

"The woods were planted years ago and haven't received any attention since then. "Coppiced ash will eventually provide adjacent allotment holders with beanpoles."

He said the plans have been discussed with everyone concerned and have won universal approval.

The married granddad is also a Droitwich Spa Civic Society member and hopes to use some of his cash to support its Green Necklace walk around the town.

His kindness earned praise from both The Tree Council and National Grid.

Proud wife Jacky said since retiring from their engineering business three years ago, he devotes his spare time to conservation work and has also become a Worcestershire Wildlife Trust volunteer.

Roger is one of more than 60 tree wardens taking part in a countywide scheme co-ordinated by Worcestershire County Council.