The wood now has a five-a-side football pitch

Badocks Wood near Southmead has a new fence to stop vandals getting in, and has been the subject of extra police and fire brigade resources over the last two years.

On Thursday a sculpture by Michael Fairfax, marking the site of a Bronze Age burial mound in the wood, was unveiled.

The woodland has been known previously as a dumping ground for burnt-out cars.

1350 BC

Salim Allibhai, from the Friends of Badocks Wood, said: "There is a lot of money being poured in here and a lot of goodwill.

"Hopefully we can provide alternatives for youths around here."

The wood also has a five-a-side football pitch, and houses a recycling depot.

Councillor Helen Holland, deputy leader, said: "Working closely with the Friends of Badocks Wood, we have helped revitalise the woodland and hope to encourage local people to think about the history and significance of the area."

The Bronze Age barrow dates from 1350 BC, and archaeologists say it would have been the burial place of a prominent individual within the local tribe.