The Woodland Trust is to launch a searchable online database of more than 24,000 publicly accessible woods as part of plans to increase visitor numbers at the sites.

Called VisitWoods, the project has received £1.2m worth of funding from the Natural England's Access to Nature scheme. The service is expected to go online in Autumn 2010.

The Woodland Trust is hoping to attract 20 partner organisations for the scheme and is also looking to secure sponsorship and funding from private companies to maintain the service.

As part of a five year programme, it will be a gateway to site-based information, searchable maps, inspiring ideas, free downloadable resources, comments and pictures provided by wood visitors plus direct links to thousands of woodland websites.

Dave Bloor, spokesperson for the Woodland Trust, said: "The Trust's aim is for VisitWoods to become a vital public service brought to life by an inspirational communications campaign promoting woodland to millions of people. We would like companies to share the publicity benefits of being involved through sponsorship of the web site."