EXCITING forestry plans aimed at turning industrial eyesores in to a community woodland paradise have stepped up.

A rough land site at Bickershaw is being developed in to a haven by The Forestry Commission who have leased the Barlows Farm site from the Woodland Trust.

It is part of the Red Rose Community Forest, which has been gathering pace for several years, and is poised to envelop a prime piece of Journal-land which has been a bone of contention locally for more than a decade.

But the Bickershaw part of the woodland equation will combine a variety of assets to nature and wildlife preservation. Sympathetic tree planting schemes will combine with existing wetland areas to extend the attraction for wildlife. Public involvement is being encouraged with clean-up and planting days planned.

On Sunday locals will have the opportunity to adopt a tree as part of the borough's Millennium Woodland scheme.

The Mayor Cllr Mrs Joan Hurst will be at The Spinney at Atherton helping getting the first trees planted.

There's a reward in store for those who make the effort to plant on Sunday between 10am and 3pm at the Spa Road site in Atherton.