GROUSE moors which are becoming a last refuge for rare birds and animals earned the approval of a visiting Government Minister yesterday.

Ben Bradshaw, the Minister for Nature Conservation and Forestry, viewed Weardale Estate, in County Durham, on a tour organised by the Moorland Association.

Mr Bradshaw had asked to see the contribution that moorland managed for grouse-shooting can make to the landscape, wildlife and economy of a rural area.

Careful control of sheep numbers, rotational heather-burning, bracken and predator control provide suitable conditions for ground-nesting birds such as curlew, lapwing, merlin, golden plover and black grouse.

Grouse moors are often a last refuge for many species because their lowland habitats have been lost.

Mr Bradshaw said: "My visit has confirmed to me that good management of moorland for grouse can have huge benefits for wildlife, landscape value and the rural economy.

"I was very impressed by the expertise and care of the gamekeepers who manage the Weardale Estate."

The association's secretary, Martin Gillibrand, said: "Where grouse moor management does not exist, or has been lost, the heather has disappeared.

"Some 25 to 45 per cent of heather moorland in England and Wales was lost following the Second World War. The vast majority of the remainder is being safeguarded by grouse-shooting interests."