WORK is being carried out to improve the growth of heather on Mary Tavy common.

The management work is part of an environmental agreement directed and funded by Defra and involves a pattern of firebreaks being cut through the vegetation so that planned seasonal burning — swaling — of relatively small areas can be effectively managed.

George Swayne, secretary of the Mary Tavy Commoners' Association, said it was also hoped that damage from any 'mischievous' burns could be limited.

'Given the right weather, swaling should take place in the period from the finish of cutting and the end of March, when commoners will arrange the attendance of several people and some machinery, always within daylight hours,' he said.

Any other burning was likely to be illegal and certainly against the interests of the commoners association, and could result in prosecution, he added.