A PLEA to ramblers aims to stamp out problems with ‘trampling’ on one of the county’s ‘ancient natural gems’.

A charity is calling on people to stick to the marked paths in Stoke Woods, near Bicester, to protect the site from trampling.

It is feared the The Woodland Trust’s 400-year-old wood could be damaged ‘irreparably’ if the rare flora is walked on.

Stoke Wood is home to a number of rare plants and animals including the rare bird’s nest orchid, tawny owls and the purple emperor butterfly.

The Woodland Trust’s assistant site manager for Stoke Wood, Philip Munro, said: “If trampled on this delicate environment can be damaged irreparably.

“This wood really is a very special place on the doorstep of Bicester and we are lucky to have it.

“We welcome people to visit to enjoy this precious environment and there are several new waymarked trails that we have introduced to help visitors explore the site.

“We do ask that visitors help us protect the wood by sticking to the trails so the rare flora won’t be damaged.”

Stoke Wood has carpets of bluebell in the spring – a key indicator of ancient woodland - and a wide variety of bird and butterfly species.

It provides important habitats for invertebrates.

The rare Bird’s-nest orchid is for example an ‘extremely elusive’ plant.

Mr Munro added: “Once it’s gone, it’s lost forever.”

The trust is now carrying out restoration works at the site, which include removing non-native species to allow in more light and help the native flora to grow.

The trust has five active local volunteers who meet once a week to carry out the valuable restoration and maintenance work such as coppicing.

They are currently creating a new leaflet to explain the woodland paths and what the site has to offer.

For more details on Stoke Wood, volunteering with the trust, and the works see woodlandtrust.org.uk