FIVE nature reserves will be designated in Sedgefield borough this month in a project aimed at bringing people closer to wildlife.

The idea of the Wildspace Project is to encourage local people to get involved in the creation and development of Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) in the community and use the opportunity to learn about nature and wildlife issues.

As Sedgefield Borough Council's local nature reserve officer, it is Deborah Ferguson's responsibility to get people involved and to develop the skills and interests necessary to continue caring for their green havens long into the future.

Her post is funded by a National Lottery award and administered through English Nature's Wildspace Grant scheme.

Miss Ferguson said: "LNRs are a good way of safeguarding some of our open spaces, especially in residential areas.

"They also give people a real chance to help improve their local environment and increase awareness of the countryside and wildlife on our doorsteps."

English Nature has already approved the five sites to be declared as LNRs at Ferryhill Carrs, Castle Eden Walkway, Bishop Middleham Community Wildlife Garden, Byerley and The Moor, in Newton Aycliffe.

Miss Ferguson said: "These areas are already being used and we can now promote their true value and get more people to visit them. The sites have the potential to be managed in a positive way for both nature conservation and the local community."

Local schools, youth groups, community groups and residents will be encouraged to get involved in helping to care for the sites.

A series of walks, talks, practical tasks and environmental activities will be arranged to help promote awareness of the sites and raise local interest.

Sedgefield Borough Council is organising a launch event to help celebrate the formal declaration of these sites as Local Nature Reserves.

It will take place on Wednesday, July 23, at 2pm, in the council chambers at Green Lane, Spennymoor.

Borough, parish and town councillors will be attending, as well as residents who have been involved in the project.

The event includes a short presentation outlining the project and relevant sites. There then follows the signing of the formal documents designating the five sites as Local Nature Reserves.