COUNCILLORS are set to protect two historic beauty spots by declaring them nature reserves.

At tomorrow's meeting of Pendle Council, Alkincoats woodland and Greenfield in Colne are set to be formally designated as Local Nature Reserves as sites of natural importance.

English Nature recommends that all councils should aim to have one hectare of Local Nature Reserves per 1000 head of population.

With a population of 89,248, Pendle only had two at Lomeshaye Marsh and Upper Ballgrove in Colne totalling just under four hectares.

The move will help boost the borough's total to 11.2 hectares the target is to have 90 hectares.