Sussex Wildlife Trust has invited a Government minister to the county to learn about ancient woodlands.

The charity has extended the hand of hospitality to environment minister Owen Paterson for a lesson on biodiversity.

It follows a high- profile interview in which the Conservative MP said losing woodlands could be offset by planting new trees elsewhere.

Charity chief executive Tony Whitbread has also sent Mr Paterson a copy of Dr Patrick Roper’s book Brede High Woods.