PLANS to create a wildlife haven near Ferryhill are expected to move a step closer this week.

Bishop Middleham, near Ferryhill, was the focus of national attention last summer when a pair of rare bee-eater birds became the first to breed successfully in this country for almost 50 years.

Now villagers are hoping to create a community wetland garden.

The Countryside Agency has agreed to fund 75 per cent of the cost of work through the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund.

Members of Sedgefield Borough Council's cabinet meet today and are expected to agree to provide the remaining £10,000 needed to complete the project.

A report says: "The scheme will provide an excellent community resource with high biodiversity and educational value through creating publicly accessible habitats for a wide variety of flora and fauna."

The site, which is to become Bishop Middleham Community Wildlife Garden, is on land previously used for allotments.

The land has not been used for the last four years because flooding problems left it permanently under water.

Bishop Middleham parish council, which leases the land from the borough, has developed the wildlife garden in conjunction with the borough council's countryside team, local residents and the primary school.

The plan is to create two ponds to increase the diversity of species attracted to the site.