The Friends of Leadburn Community Woodland will use the £9,813 to improve access paths on the site, carry out drainage repairs and erect interpretation signs and seating.

Of the Awards for All grant, vice-chairman David Sales said: "We are delighted. We are very pleased we have got it."

The 44 hectare site was purchased by the Friends from the Forestry Commission in February 2007. Two old railway lines cross the site and sections of both require drains to be unblocked to prevent further flooding.

Mr Sales added that some of the clinker needed to be replaced and a new access track from the layby, south of Leadburn, would also be created. Four seats are being constructed from natural hardwood to be sited along the walkways.

The work is due to be completed over the coming months.

Since the community buy-out, more than 2,800 Scottish native trees have been planted on the site and there are plans to create a raised bog and water pools to attract a variety of insects and wildlife.