YOUNGSTERS went hunting round the marshes of the proposed Lumb Millennium Green in Rossendale to see what bugs and beasties they could find.

Members of Whitewell Bottom and Balladen Rainbows were at the site as part of a project to find out just what creatures are living there.

Julie Wickington, community project officer for Groundwork Rossendale, said: "Once the work has been finished on the site we will be repeating the bug hunt to see what new insects have been attracted to the area."

The site, near the junction of Burnley Road East and Peers Clough Road, is being developed by Groundwork and local residents and it is hoped work will be complete by December. Julie said: "So far work has been carried out on grassland and on installing a woodland pathway and boundary improvements."

The site is to be properly drained, a pond constructed, landscaped with more footpaths and an entrance way. As the work on the site progresses meetings have been held between the landscape architects and local residents to keep people informed on the progress and amend the plans as the project develops. The scheme will cost between £60,000 and £80,000 and has been funded by several agencies. A grant of £35,000 has been secured from the Countryside Agency millennium greens project.

Organisers have held fund-raising events and funding has also been obtained from Shell, BT Access, Bass, Rossendale Council, and Lancashire County Council.

Residents will be planning an official opening once the work has been completed.

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