An ancient woodland of "world importance" near Sandbach has had its 'no hunting, no shooting' signs ripped down, as a wildlife campaigner fears illegal activity is taking place at the site "all the time".

Brookhouse Moss, which is located in Smallwood, has been designated as a Site of Significant Scientific Interest (SSSI), a designation which brings strict rules on activities in the area.

Jane Smith, who sits on Alsager Town Council for the Animal Welfare Party, raised the alarm to the about the vandalised signs and hunting activity.

She told Sandbach Nub News: "Here in the local area we're incredibly fortunate to have an SSSI-designated woodland such as Brookhouse Moss on our doorstep. It's not only a site of world importance ecologically, but as a glacial drift moss dating from the last Ice Age, it's also a rare example of what native woodlands looked and sounded like at the time the great ice sheets retreated some 15,000 years ago.

"One of the most unique aspects of the Moss is that it gives people a chance to experience a piece of Smallwood woodland that's been intact for millennia – but as such, it's vital that the site is left untouched by human activity."

Cllr Smith explained that any human activity on the site which is likely to leave a trace is "absolutely prohibited" under Natural England's SSSI licence- including hunting, shooting and trapping.

Natural England installed the signs following requests from Cllr Smith as well as residents which warned people about the restrictions and urged people to report illegal activity.

"The landowner has been working in tandem with Natural England, but the problem seems to be other people coming into the wood, who are local, and shooting birds willy nilly. We've found foxes shot dead. There is all sorts of wildlife crime going on and often it's stuff which would be legal if it was somewhere else," Cllr Smith said.

The animal rights activist has called on local people and walkers who use the site to report any signs of illegal activity, such as seeing or hearing shooting, to the police.

Cllr Smith added: "Those people are not only engaging in an illegal act, they're also completely disrespecting a unique piece of natural heritage that everyone in Smallwood should be so proud of."

She also encouraged residents to get out and enjoy the ancient woodland responsibly to appreciate its value to not just the local area, but the whole country.