Volunteers are transforming an historic former railway line in Accrington into a nature reserve – and more are being urged to join in.
The former route from Stubbins North to Accrington lies in Woodnook Vale and the line was closed down in the early 1960s.
Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s senior projects officer for East Lancashire, Kim Coverdale said work had already begun to revamp the site.
She added: "We have already cleared steps, rubbish from the entrance, installed posts for safety and widened the forest path.
"But we need new volunteers to join with the volunteers who regularly come here.
"A lot of the work will include brushcutter training and cutting back Himalayan balsam, which is a problem on the site.
"We want people to come here from the local community to work on a project on their doorstep and to learn about the rich heritage that they have here. It’s also a great way to meet new friends."
Volunteers are looking to set up boards at the entrance to the site, on Nuttall Street, Hill Street and Priestley Clough to explain the wildlife and history of the reserve.
A new footpath will also be built to encourage walkers to visit.
A clear-up and planting session will be held on Monday, February 6, meeting at Nuttall Street at 10.30am.
The 27-hectare site includes more than 250 species of plants and a rich range of butterflies, moths, insects and birds.
The project is being run by the Lancashire Environmental Fund, a partnership between SITA UK Ltd, the county council, the Wildlife Trust and Community Futures.
