A GROUP of Worcester volunteers have spent four days learning the traditional technique of hedgelaying.

Fourteen volunteers helped to look after the hedgerow in Plantation Drive, Warndon Villages, and learned the Midlands style of hedgelaying, which traditionally uses hazel stakes.

They are put in the ground every couple of metres before the hedge trees are weaved through it to create a barrier about 4ft (1.2m) high.

The hedge is roughy 400m (1,312ft) to 500m (1,640ft) long and the volunteers have completed 60m (200ft).

Hedgelaying was originally used to stop cows and sheep escaping from underneath the hedge and every region in the country has its own style.

Warwick Neale, Worcester City Council’s parks green network officer, said: “The benefit of hedgelaying is that by making the hedge bushier, it’s really good for wildlife and makes it last longer.

“What the volunteers have achieved over the past four days is really good.

“It’s all about keeping the traditional skills going and teaching people about it.”