A PROJECT to restore an island and riverbanks on the River Bourne has received £500 from Milford House Care Home in Salisbury.

The money from Barchester’s Charitable Foundation was presented to Milford Preservation Group. Barchester Healthcare runs Milford House Care Home.

David Lovibond, the honorary secretary of Milford Preservation Group, said: “We are delighted to receive this cheque from the Barchester Foundation.We have now reached our target to allow work to begin on the project and are currently working out the logistics. We are keen to get going as soon as we can to restore the area below the [Milford Mill] Bridge, and ensure that we are contributing to the management of local wildlife for the benefit and enjoyment of the whole community.”

Marie-Therese Tiernan, of Milford House Care Home, said: “We are always keen to show as much support as we can to local community groups - especially one that is working on a project so close to our home.

“We already enjoy using the boardwalk that links the home to Milford Mill Bridge, and our residents will enjoy coming down to look at the work and hopefully the wildlife that is attracted as a consequence. The work the Milford Preservation Group is undertaking also chimes with work we are doing at the home to create a wildlife area within our grounds. We hope to link up in the future with a joint event that will celebrate the work that we have both undertaken.”