A TASTE of the past will soon be revived in St Helens.

And it's all thanks to a new environmental initiative under the St Helens Pathways programme.

Work is already under way to establish a Millennium Green on Merton Bank Marsh alongside Singleton Avenue in Blackbrook.

And Pathways plan to christen it the Parr Hall Millennium Green after the home of one of St Helens' famous old families which once occupied part of the site.

Millennium Greens are areas of open space which can be enjoyed by everyone and there are expected to be around 250 of them across the country by the year 2,000.

A partnership of organisations, including St Helens College, St Helens Council. The Groundwork Trust and Sankey Canal Restoration Society, are now working together with Pathways and local people to set up the Millennium Green Charitable Trust which will secure and manage the site.

Project workers are also hoping to mark out the spot where the walls of the original Parr Hall stood and rebuild the family's historic well. There is also a number of rare plants and some endangered wildlife species, all of which will be protected and encouraged to thrive.

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