PLANS are being drawn up to turn an ancient woodland into a Local Nature Reserve.

A public meeting has been arranged so residents can have their say on the proposals, which would see Ramsbottom's Redisher Woods preserved.

Redisher Woods, a wooded valley at the base of Holcombe Hill, is the fourth site chosen by Bury Metropolitan Council to be designated a Local Nature Reserve.

It is recognised as one of the best ancient woodlands in the borough, and is a particular attraction in late spring when bluebells carpet the steep valley sides and banks of Holcombe Brook which runs through the valley. The woods are also home to a number of important woodland bird communities, not least the hooded flycatcher, a rare species in the area.

The main aims of making the site a Local Nature Reserve would be to encourage woodland regeneration and the spread of the native flora and fauna, diversify the age structure of the woodland, and to maintain and upgrade footpaths and signs.

The other three sites in Bury are at Chesham Woods, Hollins Vale and Phillip's Park.

Paul Robinson, Local Nature Reserves officer at Bury Metropolitan Council, said: "We have already been given the green light by English Nature to turn the woods into a nature reserve and the meeting is a chance for local people to tell us what they think and perhaps to get involved in setting up a friends group."

The Local Nature Reserve project is a nationwide scheme made possible by a £7m grant from English Nature. There are currently 1,000 reserves in the country.

Hundreds of volunteers have helped repair fences, lay hedges and worked on other conservation projects since the scheme began in 1999.

The public meeting on Redisher Woods will be held from 7.30pm to 9pm on Tuesday, February 24, at the main library at Woodhey High School, Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom. For more information call on 0161 253 5269 or 07766137689.