A WILDLIFE reserve near a Darlington housing estate is due to benefit from an extra £177,000 investment.

Darlington councillors yesterday approved plans for more work to be carried out at Firthmoor grasslands, which has been managed as a nature reserve for ten years.

Workers from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers are turning part of the site into a top-class fishing facility with help from the council.

It will be aimed at those in the area, especially youngsters, who have not been able to afford to fish or who have never tried the sport.

A five-year plan of work has been devised for the reserve, to create more wetlands, improve bird habitats, increase planting and maintain water at the site.

The latest stage, including the fishing facility, aims to get more residents involved in the reserve by creating a landscaped open space for them to use. Residents have already formed a committee to help with projects at the wildlife reserve.

Councillor David Lyonette said: "This is a real sign of regeneration on the east side of the town."

The extra money approved by the cabinet includes about £60,000 for staffing over the next three years.