THE borough is celebrating the opening of the area's first officially designated Local Nature Reserve at Philips Park in Whitefield.

And similar reserves are to be created at Chesham Woods and Hollins Vale, Bury, as well as Redisher Wood, Ramsbottom, in the near future, thanks to money from the Greening Greater Manchester initiative. Bury Council's environment spokesman, Councillor Stuart Kaufman, has presented a certificate of designation to Daveen Wallis from Lancashire Wildlife Trust which is to run the nature reserve.

Coun Kaufman said: "Local nature reserves are areas set aside for watching, enjoying and learning about local wildlife. "Their designation also helps to protect sites with rare species, uncommon habitats and important natural features.

"English Nature have been encouraging local authorities such as our own to provide one hectare of local nature reserve per 1,000 of population and we are determined to do our best to meet that proposed figure." He added: "Bury's own Local Agenda 21 strategy expressly requests the promotion of local nature reserves and the official designation of Philips Park as a siting of a reserve has begun the process of fulfilling our aims."

The reserves, as well as providing sanctuary for wildlife and rare species, are also expected to attract outside cash to set up environmental education centres for the community.

Coun Kaufman added: "As far as Local Nature Reserves are concerned, everyone is a winner and we are confident that Philips Park and the other schemes will promote greater environmental awareness on our own doorstep."

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