Shire horses used to clear bracken from Thurstaston Common

by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post SHIRE horses were used to clear bracken on a Wirral common as rangers returned to traditional methods of managing the heathland. The horses – pulling two “bracken bashers” – were working on two areas of Thurstaston Common, on land to the north of Thor’s Rock and between Thurstaston Hill and Telegraph Road. Wirral Council has previously controlled bracken using chemical treatment but, due to the need to find a less expensive and more environmentally friendly solution, decided this year to try out new means. Officials said horses offer the best solution to working on Thurstaston Common’s undulating, irregular terrain. Senior ranger Paul Greenslade said: “Bracken is a native woodland plant, but can form dense stands on heathland sites, such as Thurstaston, where it shades out heathland plants.”