FOREST ramblers walking off their festive excesses could be forgiven for thinking they have stepped into a Lord of the Rings-style experience.

For like the Ents of Tolkien's literary classic, it may appear that the trees of Dalby Forest, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, are talking to passers-by.

But the words will be coming from a series of "talking posts" which the Forestry Commission has installed along one of the 8,600-acre woodland's most dramatic walks.

Overlooking Pexton Bank, near the forest toll barrier, the metre-high devices offer 90-second commentaries at the touch of a button on subjects such as fungi, the forest landscape and butterflies.

Narrators include the commission's biodiversity officer Brian Walker, West Ayton butterfly expert Peter Robinson and retired national park ranger Alan Staniforth.

In another first for the forest a closed-circuit television system has also been installed to monitor wildlife. The camera will track creatures such as badgers 24 hours a day, beaming live pictures back into the visitor centre, mixed with recorded highlights. Broadcasts will begin after the festive period.

Mr Walker said: "The talking posts and the television link-up are major steps forward in helping people understand the forest's wildlife.

"The talking posts have been designed to blend in the environment and will be of real benefit to visually-impaired walkers.

"The closed circuit TV will start by monitoring a badger sett, although it's been a poor year for the creature because of all the dry weather early on."

Both projects are funded by the Sustainable Tourism Initiative, a joint project with the North York Moors National Park, regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and the European Union.