More than 40 Shetland sheep have been recruited by the Forestry Commission to help restore 31-acres of valuable heathland in Wharncliffe Wood, near Wortley.
The flock will munch its way through unwanted vegetation and help turn scrubland into a key wildlife haven, doubling the area of the existing Wharncliffe Heath, which is already home to locally scarce wildlife. Forester Alvin Smith said: "Shetland sheep are ideal for this job. They are a very tough breed and can get by on pretty meagre rations.
"Like Yorkshire folk, they are independent and don't take too much looking after. It would take an army of foresters to do the same job, combating tree and weed growth and trampling bracken.
"By doing what comes naturally, the sheep will create just the right kind of habitat for birds and butterflies to spread their wings."
Around 80 per cent of the nation's heathland has been lost since the 18th century. However, last month the Forestry Commission revealed it had exceeded its national target of creating 5,000 acres of heath since 1997. The work in Wharncliffe Wood is being funded by the Forestry Commission and Coalfield Heathland Project, as part of a successful lottery bid by the Sheffield Wildlife Trust.
Local people have formed a group called the Wharncliffe Heathlands Trust.

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