RESIDENTS in the Stacksteads area will have the chance to learn more about a new wood being created at a public meeting next week.

A one hectare (three acre) site near Stacksteads has just been given to woodland conservation charity the Woodland Trust by Rossendale Council.

The trust is planning to turn the land into a woodland for the benefit of local people and wildlife.

The new wood will be part of the charity's Woods on your Doorstep project -- a nationwide scheme that is creating 250 new woods for the new century.

Representatives of the trust have organised the meeting, in association with the Stacksteads Riverside Park Group.

Project co-ordinator Paul Bunton said: "As the wood is being created to benefit the whole community it's important that as many people as possible get involved in the design process.

"This means having a say in things like what species of tree to plant, where to put paths and what other features might be included.

"At the meeting we are also keen for local people to make suggestions for a name for the wood and a special millennium feature. This could be something like a wildflower meadow, a seat or a special tree -- something lasting that will mark the site forever as a celebration woodland."

After the meeting a design will be drawn up and the wood will be planted in winter.

The meeting will be held at 7.30pm on April 12 at the Rose Mount Club, Huttock End Lane, Stacksteads.

More information is available from Paul Bunton on 0113 285 7440.

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