"REGRETTABLE damage" to West Penwith moorland will be rectified, the National Trust has pledged.

The landowning charity's cattle stock-proofing measures to restore biodiversity on Carn Galva moorland have come under fierce criticism.

Using an excavator, the Trust piled earth on top of a three-feet Cornish hedge in a method known as ditching and casting.

A drain, inserted to deal with ground water on what is said to be the moorland's lowest point, flooded three public rights of way and a track leading to the Nine Maidens Circle.

Describing it as an "embarrassment" for the agencies concerned, MP Andrew George said he would "leave it to them to explain how it was that such extensive earthworks, which have affected the drainage in the area, were undertaken in a non traditional manner using a mechanical excavator".

"They were cagey about taking me up there and I could understand why," the MP told The Cornishman.

"This is clearly a regrettable piece of damage to the area which they have promised to address."

Jon Brookes, National Trust estates manager for West Penwith, said the situation had caused a lot of upset for trust staff.

"This happened because we were trying not to fence the area," he said.

"We hold our hands up and say the work was too heavy and we're doing all we can to mitigate the damage that's been caused."

Mr Brookes said the main problem was the appearance of the moorland.

"I'm very unhappy about it but I have to look to the future and see how we can put it right," he said.

Vaughan Robbins, Natural England's project officer for West Penwith's environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs), said he would comment on the matter after a site meeting next week.

"The land is under an ESA agreement and the National Trust and the tenant farmer are responsible for complying to that agreement," he said.

Ian Cooke, co-ordinator of Save Penwith Moors, which made the initial complaint to MP Andrew George, said the situation caused him grave concern for the future.

Eddy Holmes, chairman of Morvah Parish Council, said: "It's muddy and it's a mess but it will grow green.

"We've suffered worse damage with the gorse fires."

A report is being prepared for discussion at a meeting of Penwith District Council's social economic and environment committee on February 4 at 7pm.

And Mr George has offered to chair a forum for all concerned in the grazing plans for West Penwith moorlands "in the hope that this will contribute to a more harmonious resolution".

Penwith district councillor Hudson Smith, chair of the social economic and environment committee, said a date was being arranged.