The ecological effect of the UK's woodlands is "hugely important" in fighting climate change and coping with its impact, a Forestry Commission source has noted.

Speaking to news agency The Press Association, the director general Tim Rollinson made the comments ahead of a huge survey of UK woodland which will take in 15,000 sites over the next five years.

Surveyors will record information on the number, species and age of trees, as well as their height and condition.

It will be used to create an accurate, up-to-date picture of the condition of woodland in Britain, a Forestry Commission statement said.

Current statistics show the UK has around 6.8 million acres of woodland covering about 12 per cent of the land area, a figure which has more than doubled since the start of the twentieth century.

Mr Rollinson explained that woodland can be a substantial help to dealing with climate change and called on the government to ensure more trees are planted.