SOUTH West Water has started looking after important archaeological sites at Burrator reservoir.

South West Lakes Trust, an arm of the water giant, organised a band of volunteers to help clear scrub from the area as part of an on-going project to maintain the beauty spot.

Dr Tom Greeves, chairman of the Dartmoor Society, was instrumental in the birth of this project.

He said: 'It's a positive approach — the most positive approach I've seen in 15 years in the management of the historic environment at Burrator.'

Dr Greeves said the Dartmoor Society was very interested in the better management of archaeological features in the wooded area of Burrator and had approached Julia Moysey, head of SW Lakes Trust countryside service.

'We had a meeting with her and showed her some of the problem sites. As a result of that, they have embarked on a programme of clearing some of the undergrowth and some of the trees that may be damaging them,' he said.

Toni Furse, speaking for SW Lakes Trust, which has taken over management of the sites for South West Water.

'As a trust we can concentrate on looking after those sites more than South West Water ever did,' she said. 'They were more concerned, and rightly so, with water quality and providing the water supply.

'South West Lakes Trust is there to preserve the sites and provide recreation, conservation, education and access — to make all those sites available to everybody.'

Anyone interested in joining the conservation volunteers should contact conservation ranger Stuart Ross on 01822 890310.

The next volunteer day will be on Saturday, where rangers will be holding a nest building workshop with the British Trust for Ornithology for National Nest Box Week.