Nature features

Wildlife enthusiast Sandy Aitken runs his own business cleaning carpets and upholstery.

But three times a year, with a team of Notts Wildlife Trust volunteers, he makes charcoal in the heart of Attenborough Nature Reserve.

When it's been made the charcoal is sold to raise money for the reserve.

The finished charcoal product

The charcoal is actually a by-product of important woodland management and for Sandy it's this part of the process that he's most passionate about.

"From my enthusiasm it's basically the coppicing part, the interesting wildlife it brings, and the diversity that it creates, that's why we're doing it.

"It focuses a lot of volunteer minds on a useful project creating the charcoal. Which is a very clean fuel. Possibly the cleanest form of fuel you can use."

It's a fascinating process and visually impressive, watch our video about the charcoal making process: