VISITORS have been warned to stay away from one of England's largest woodlands as teams assess the damage caused by the weekend's storms.
Bosses at the 63,000 hectare Kielder Forest, in Northumberland, say they need time to check which trails have been blocked by trees after Storm Malik and Storm Corrie both hit the UK within just 24 hours.
Coming amid efforts to clear-up November's Storm Arwen and it's 100 mph winds, Kielder chiefs expect many of the routes that had already been reopened may now need to be shut off again.
READ MORE: Storms Malik and Corrie: Schoolboy among two people dead after trees torn down
An update read: "Please don't visit Kielder until we have checked all the trails that were opened up following storm Arwen.
"Sadly and very frustratingly our crews have to go out and check all the trails again for safety after this weekends two storms as we expect to find more trees blocking routes.
"There may be locations where trees have yet to fall over and in the forest there are power cables.
"As soon as we have checked trails we will update what is open again, with snow possibly coming by the weekend, these are going to be challenging conditions to work in.
"We appreciate this will be frustrating for those who want to come and enjoy Kielder, however keeping everyone safe is our priority."
Blowing in winds of around 90 mph, storms Malik and Corrie were both less severe than Arwen but still proved fatal. At least two people, including a nine-year-old boy, lost their lives when crushed by trees.
READ MORE: Storm Arwen: Mairi McAllan warns Scotland's forests will take 'centuries' to recover
The possible damage to the UK's timber industry remains unclear at this time and it's hoped measures taken between November's Arwen and now will have offered more protection.
Scotland's Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “I think it was very clear that there was a much stronger join-up between the power companies and the local resilience partnerships over the course of the weekend."
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