DALBY Forest, is launching a new visitor attraction this spring aimed at children.

Treetop Junior includes a play area, visitor centre and Go Ape attraction aimed at six to 12-year-olds.

Popular CBeebies character Tree Fu Tom will be making a special appearance at Dalby for the launch on Sunday, May 4, as well as encouraging children to join the Spring Into Action campaign.

The campaign has been designed to help engage youngsters with nature using fun activities designed to help them recognise the signs of spring.

Sessions will be held throughout the day with Tree Fu Tom and the Forestry Commission rangers on hand.

Children will also receive a special Tree Fu Tom magazine.

A Forestry Commission spokesman said Dalby Forest had seen more than £1m investment in its redevelopment.

“The development of the play area followed involvement with local schools and the design has incorporated children’s ideas around play,” the spokesman added.

“The Treetop Junior attraction is a new experience of canopy exploring, trail blazing and obstacles aimed at children from about six years to 12 years, but it is based on height and there is a that a minimum height of one metre (3.28 feet).”

The project was funded by contributions from the Forestry Commission and Yorventure Ltd’s Challenge Fund of £250,000 to mark the 20th birthday of its contributor, Yorwaste Limited.

The visitor centre has been redesigned with the restaurant now on the ground floor, so that seating can also be located outside for visitors to enjoy the scenery and be close to the new play area.

As well as all this, the Forestry Commission has invested in the facilities at Dalby Forest, including the recently-completed Ellerburn multi-user trail, upgrades to the blue cycle route and recent installation of the commissioned Lumberjills Memorial by Ray Lonsdale – a steel fabrication of a felled tree and two Lumberjills.