Investigation after 'vehicle driven in forest'

Forestry England said it had passed on information to Suffolk Police

Police are investigating reports of an unauthorised vehicle being driven in a forest causing damage to woodland close to a popular mountain bike route.

The area is near to the Viking Cycle Trail in Tunstall Forest, Suffolk.

Forestry England said it had passed on information it received to police and an officer was "pursuing inquiries". Suffolk Police has been approached for comment.

The issue had been raised on social media by members of the Tunstall and Rendlesham Off-road Group (TROG) - a cycling club who organise weekly rides around the trails and bridleways.

A 10 mile (16 km) single track bike trail in Tunstall Forest runs close to where the incident of an unauthorised vehicle in the woodland has been reported

A spokesperson for Forestry England said: "We were made aware of the damage caused by an unauthorised vehicle close to the Viking Cycle Trail in Tunstall Forest by TROG after a member sent us a copy of a video and photographs published on social media.

"We take seriously any illegal access to the Nations Forest and passed the information received to Suffolk Constabulary for investigation and an officer from the police force is pursuing inquiries which we are assisting with.

"Tunstall Forest is a site of special scientific interest, protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in England and Wales.

"Forestry England would like to reinforce that motorised vehicles are not allowed on the Nations Forest estate without permission, an offence under our byelaws."

In social media posts, cyclists said the area known locally as "The Grand Canyon" had been "completely trashed".

On TROG's website, it said the origins of the Viking Cycle Trail were "a legacy of the motorcycle enduro events held in the forest over past decades".

"The trail has been extended and enhanced by TROG who are a registered community amateur sports club," it said.