THE moors and wildlife of the Bowland area will benefit from a £900,000 investment scheme.

The Bowland Environmental Strategy, a partnership between North West Water, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and English Nature, is investing the cash in the Bowland Fells.

The scheme, made possible with a £500,000 European grant, aims to bring environmental, social and economic benefits.

A key element will be the improvement of heather, considered essential for the fells' eco-system.

This will be achieved through heather-burning to encourage regeneration, re-seeding bare areas, management of bracken and methods to improve the health of sheep.

Preserving the traditional landscape such as drystone walls is another essential element.

Bowland is especially important for curlew and the strategy will ensure that important birds and wildlife continue to thrive.

Ian Grindy, North West Water's Bowland team leader, said: "The Bowland moors are one of the lesser known gems of the North West.

"We will also be helping farmers to maintain their traditional land management techniques."

The strategy, which includes the Trough of Bowland, will be completed in the summer of 2001.

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