As blackberry season is set to begin, families across the UK are being warned to tread carefully when foraging, with fines of up to £300 for those caught picking in the wrong places.

Ecology consultancy Arbtech has advised the public that while wild blackberries can be picked freely in many areas, there are restrictions designed to protect both the environment and local wildlife, reports Express.co.uk.

The juicy fruits, which ripen between August and early October, are not only a staple for jams, pies and preserves but also an important food source for birds, insects and small mammals.

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Experts say stripping hedgerows bare or trampling vege

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