VISITORS will be able to enjoy improved walking routes after Hillingdon Council bought an extra 30 acres of land in Ruislip Woods for £88,000.

The council worked with Ruislip Woods Trust to buy Copse Wood, adding to the 726-acre Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve.

It will maintain the paths and bridleways, add new furniture and remove non-native plant species.

Owning the woodland also enables the council to protect it from development and preserve animal habitats.

Primary schoolchildren will additionally benefit from a new environmental programme as the council aims to employ an education officer.

For more information, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/leisure