Work is progressing on a new community woodland in Billington owned by the Woodland Trust.

Thanks to funding exceeding £9,000 from the Lancashire Environmental Fund, Swindells Wood's grounds now have entrance gates, pathways, and a footbridge.

The land for the project, situated off Whalley Road, was donated by Peel Bank Woodland and Conservation Trust.

Gordon Swindell, the late founder of Peel Bank Trust, had planted most of the existing trees himself.

Paul Bunton of the Woodland Trust, said: "It will be really fitting to continue Gordon’s legacy by planting trees with the local community this autumn.

"The woodland will be named Swindells Wood in recognition of Gordon and the pioneering work he did for native woodland and the natural environment."

Elizabeth Morgan from the Lancashire Environmental Fund, said: "The access improvements at Swindells Wood have been a great project for us to support.

"Now the entranceways and bridge have been installed it will make it much easier for the local community to access the area of the tree planting and to enjoy the woodland as it matures over the coming years.

"It will be fantastic to see how the area develops in the years to come."