SEVEN forests in Northumberland have reopened.

It comes after Storm Arwen saw around one million trees uprooted overnight.

Forestry England has now reopened Hepburn, Wooler Common, Wark, Fourlaws, Falstone and Slaley, as well as Kielder Water and Forest Park.

Teams from Forestry England and Northumbrian Water have cleared thousands of tonnes of fallen timber to welcome back visitors. 

Kielder Water and Forest Park Development Trust has also now reopened the full Lakeside Way route - a 27-mile-long, all-purpose trail and home to October's Kielder Marathon.

Hexham Courant:

Forestry England’s recreation public affairs manager Alex MacLennan said, “The reopening of Northumberland’s forests is a credit to all of the ground crews carrying out a safe and measured approach to the complex and specialist recovery work.

“We continue to ask that everyone stays on the main forest tracks and always adheres to all information, warning signs and barriers to stay safe and support the ongoing recovery work across the county."

It is hoped all Northumberland woodlands will reopen over the next year.

The reopening forms part of Forestry England and Northumberland County Council's Love it like it's Yours campaign which aims to welcome people to the countryside but encourages responsible behaviour.