A NATURE reserve on the fringe of a city, gifted to local children more than half a century ago, is to be opened up to more youngsters.

Thanks to a £70,000 grant, Quarry Moor, Ripon, will soon see a range of improvements, ensuring its users will be able to enjoy and understand the site far more than in the past.

The cash boost has been provided by English Nature, through the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and its Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund.

Trustees of the site and Quarry Moor Development Association are now pressing ahead with a range of measures, ensuring children appreciate the full environmental value of the site.

The Mayor of Ripon, Coun-cillor Stuart Martin, said: "Quarry Moor is such a fabulous asset for the people of Ripon, and we want it to be used to its full potential.

"We are planning new information and interpretation boards, the creation of a website, upgrading the activities centre, improving access and producing teachers' packs for schoolchildren."

The improvements at the environmentally-sensitive site, which was gifted to the city by the late Alderman Tom Spence in 1949, are expected to be in place by March. Learning aid packs are being be sent to 500 primary schools.

Quarry Moor project officer Michelle Pearson said: "The message will be that there is so much more at Quarry Moor.

"Ripon residents may well know it as a nice place for a walk or for children to play."

The initiative is being driven by project manager Barry Slaymaker in an area that has been described by nature conservationists as "unimproved calcareous grassland," which is an increasing rarity.

The 9.2-hectare site has been recognised nationally by its designation as a Local Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which is one of the highest conservation designations in Europe.

Meanwhile, more than 50 species of birds have been recorded, including wax-wings, tree creepers and yellow hammers. In addition, a colony of rare bee orchids continues to thrive.

Members of Ripon City Council are trustees of the site given to the city to be "kept for Ripon children for all time."

A notable feature of Quarry Moor is a cliff face of sedimentary rock from the Permian period, which was laid down in a warm sea 250 million years ago.