WILTSHIRE Wildlife Trust has been awarded National Lottery funding to restore rare chalk downland in Coombe Bissett.

The grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) will be used by the charity to purchase 34.5 hectares of land next to their existing Coombe Bissett Nature Reserve.

This will double the size of their current reserve and enable them to restore the block of chalk grassland.

Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the restoration process will enable the Trust to return the landscape to its former glory.

The Trust will help to further protect, maintain and enhance this habitat and the threatened species it supports.

Plans for the three year project include better interpretation for visitors, improved recording and monitoring of rare species at the reserve.

Dr Gary Mantle MBE, the chief executive of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: “Our successful HLF bid is a fantastic opportunity for us to restore this precious landscape back to chalk downland. We would like to thank our members, volunteers, supporters and the local community in both Coombe Bissett and Salisbury for their support in our bid. We are looking forward to sharing the rewards of this work over the next few years.”

The Trust will create more opportunities for volunteers to get involved in helping to manage the area of wildlife. There will also be targeted programmes of activity including walks, talks and community-focussed events.

Deborah James, the Parish Clerk for Coombe Bissett Parish Council, welcomed the news and explained what it means for the local area:

She said: “This is excellent news. On behalf of Coombe Bissett and Homington Parish Council, we are delighted. This means a great deal to our two villages. It’s a real asset to the wider community and visitors, for generations to come. A big thank you to all who have put so much effort into this achievement.”

And Salisbury MP John Glen added: “It is wonderful news that even more of the beautiful and important chalk landscape at Coombe Bissett is to be restored and protected.

"Congratulations to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust on securing this grant – I very much look forward to seeing the project as it develops.”