NATURE'S wrath is being turned into a learning experience in the Lake District where storm-torn trees are to become an attraction.

The fallout from January's battering has been an unlikely silver lining with wildlife, visitors and even woodlands benefiting from toppled timber.

Ancient Birkett Wood, at the Lake District National Park Visitor Centre, Brockhole, saw around 60 of its mature native stock hit. But, instead of intensive clearing, staff have taken advantage of adversity and the area has been made safe. Paths have been cleared but many trunks and branches will remain where they fell, making a diverse habitat for insects, birds and small mammals. Bat roosts and bird nesting sites will be created and lichen, mosses and fungi should thrive.

NPA field manager south David Bulman said the practice of leaving fallen dead trees to rot naturally was already in operation across the National Park, but January's gales had offered some golden opportunities.

"Initially we were all devastated at the loss of fine, old native trees, some up to 300 years old but clearings have opened up, allowing new growth," he said, adding: "The storm struck the old and weak, leaving room for young, healthy stock to break through."

Mr Bulman said the storms had provided unexpected educational benefits. People walking through Birkett Wood, along a newly-created path, will be able to see for years to come the effects of one of the worst storms in living memory.

"Birkett Wood is a perfect example of nature's extreme ferocity. We are going to leave the ripped trunks and shards of broken timber so people can see what happened on January 7, 2005."

NPA forester Alex Todd explained that there was a natural forest cycle, which ultimately made woodlands richer and more diverse.

"January's storm gave us the perfect opportunity to show visitors how a natural forest works. Storms have been part of nature since the beginning of time. All the good timber will be salvaged and used across the national park, the deadwood left to rot. Many of the damaged trees will recover and carry on growing, their rips and tears providing habitat for wildlife," he said.

Pine will be used for door frames in information centres, oak for boat repairs at Coniston Boating Centre, signboards, fences and stiles will also be made from the reclaimed timber.

Information sheets about the storm are expected to be available from Brockhole this season.