RESIDENTS in Ramsbottom and Rossendale are being urged to help the environment by volunteering with the Croal Irwell Valley Voluntary Ranger Service.

Voluntary rangers work across Rossendale, Bury, Bolton and Salford, working closely alongside the Ranger Services to improve, conserve and promote a wide variety of countryside areas.

The service is open to anyone aged over 18 and provides an opportunity to meet new people, keep active and contribute to their local countryside.

Kathryn Fairclough, Bury Council's Countryside Ranger, said: "The Voluntary Ranger Service provides a chance for people to really get involved in their local greenspace and to be part of the action.

"It is also a great way to get active and shed those Christmas and New Year pounds and winter cobwebs."

Anyone wanting further information about becoming a Voluntary Ranger or an application pack should contact Bury Countryside Service on 0161 253 7984.

Alternatively, anyone interested can go along to one of the service's informal practical task days in January.

Those wishing to attend should meet at the chimney, main car park, Burrs Country Park, Bury, at 9.45am on Thursday and Wednesday, January 28.

Further information on the events is available on 0161 253 7984 but anyone wishing to attend should wear old clothing. Full training will be provided for the practical tasks