A horse that featured in BBC radio 4 drama The Archers has been helping a traditional logging project in protected woodland in Cambridgeshire.

Silent, a 19-year-old Clydesdale, was brought in by the Forestry Commission to Rockingham Forest near Peterborough.

He was chosen for the job to avoid the damage to trees, fledgling roots and bulbs that machinery might have caused. Once a common site, horses in woodland fell out of favour as steam and diesel powered machinery moved in. There are places where horses remain the power source of choice and these include sensitive woodlands where heavy machines can damage the ground and destroy delicate plantlife.

Silent also appeared in the TV series of Sherlock Holmes and performed as a ceremonial jump horse to the Queen.

The horse has moved more than 100 logs, weighing on average half a tonne each, over the past three days.

Forestry Commission community ranger Cheryl Joyce said: "By using the practice of horse logging,the Forestry Commission is able to minimise the impact of this essential work, while supporting traditional felling methods."

Nick Sutton, Silent's owner, added: "Silent loves to work, which is a well known trait of the Clydesdale breed, it keeps him fit, healthy and most importantly of all occupied, which is so important for these beautiful animals."