TV WEATHERMAN Fred Talbot will hopefully be bringing the sunshine when he visits Bolton to celebrate the transformation of Animal World’s Butterfly house.

Fred will officially open the enclosure at 1pm on Sunday during a family fun day organised by AWCAP — Animal World Conservation Action Project — which has worked to ensure the survival of the Moss Bank Park attraction.

Bolton Council wanted to close it as part of cuts to save more than £60 million over two years but after a storm of protest — including a 4,000-signature petition organised by public sector workers’ union Unison — Town Hall chiefs have acted to save the attraction.

AWCAP was set-up and its plans to oversee the facility won the support of the council.

AWCAP has raised money and applied for grants to carry out the refurbishments and manage Animal World.

It has enlisted the help of local businesses, including Barrow Bridge Garden Centre.

Volunteers of all ages, including those from The Princes Trust, have given the whole area a new look, and refurbished the butterfly house, which will be used to breed species once native to Britain, such as the Large Copper, which will then be released into the wild.

The Butterfly House along with the rest of the complex will also be an extra education resource for school.

Kate Porter, chairman of AWCA, said: “Fred Talbot will be opening the Butterfly House at 1pm, however we do have activities for the youngsters beginning at 11am, with face painting, making butterfly feeders, planting sunflower seeds and a plant stall for the grown ups.

“Now we just need to pray for some decent weather.”

AWCAP is also working with local people to find out what they want from the centre.