THE Great Western Community Forest has been handed good news.

The Government's Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael has announced all 12 community forests will receive funding for an extra two years.

The Great Western Forest stretches from Wootton Bassett to Faringdon and from the Marlborough Downs to the River Thames.

The forests' current ten-year funding was due to expire next March and the extra money will carry on until March 2007.

Co-ordination of the forests will pass to the Forestry Commission after this time and the cash will help prepare for the transition.

Mr Michael said: "The forests have been an unrivalled success, creating areas rich in wildlife, woodland and green open space for all to enjoy.

"They have created high quality environments that will attract businesses and employers, contributing to the regeneration of some of the most deprived areas of Britain."

There could also be extra cash for the forest from a cash pot from the Forestry Commission and the Regional Development Agency, which has £2million available for woodlands.

Great Western Forest spokeswoman Ali Bruce said it was too early to say whether this cash would be coming Swindon's way.

She said: "It is good news that money is going to be made available and we will be putting forward a bid but it is still in the early stages.

"We have been looking at the development of woodland tourism in the Swindon area but it is too soon for any decisions to be made."

Mark Durk, the Forestry Commission's policy officer, said: "We are looking forward to developing projects which will benefit local people and local woods."