A MOTHER-OF-TWO who came across a live electric fence on Rodborough Common fears someone could be injured by the device.

Clare Hatherall, 39, from Stonehouse, had been walking on the common near the Prince Albert pub with her daughter Francesca, six, and Matthew, three, when she discovered the waist high fence.

"We went to the common to fly a kite and I was shocked to come across an electric fence," she said.

"We left the area instantly as I did not want my young children to go near it."

According to Clare, no warning signs were visible to alert walkers to the fencing, which is on National Trust ground.

Kate Ashbrook, of the Open Space Society, said she was concerned about the potential hazard presented by the fence.

"People have the right to walk all around the common," she said.

"It is really important for the National Trust to consider whether this measure is appropriate for the long term safe keeping of the common land."

Paul Rutter, spokesman for the National Trust, said part of the common had been sectioned off for conservation purposes.

"English Nature, a Government body that protects areas of land, advised the National Trust to contain land on parts of the common by sectioning it off," he said.

"This is to allow cattle to graze on these areas to keep the levels of poor grass and scrub to a minimum, as this can affect the rare plants and insects that can be found in the area."

Mr Rutter said the fenced off area would be rotated around the common to keep the levels of poor grassland down.

It is hoped the initiative will create a rich breeding ground for new plants and insects.