Diseased Cwmcarn Forest Drive to close for felling

Larch trees, like these near Aberystwyth, will be felled at Cwmcarn Forest Drive

A seven-mile stretch in a popular south Wales forest will be closed so disease-ravaged trees can be felled.

About 160,000 larch trees at Cwmcarn Forest Drive will be cut down later this year from 162 hectares (400 acres) of infected forestry.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) did not know how long the area would be shut.

The rest of the attraction, including a visitor centre, play areas, footpaths and mountain bike trails will stay open.

NRW's Peter Cloke said closing Forest Drive was a difficult decision to make.

"The replanting work after we have felled the trees will involve more diverse species and native trees like oak, birch and rowan," he said.

"This will make it a better place to visit and more resilient to disease and the impacts of climate change in the future."