PENNINGTON Flash has been officially named as a Local Nature Reserve.
The reserves are protected by an Act of Parliament to make sure people have the chance to get close to nature and enjoy the natural world as well as meaning more funding can be sought by volunteers to improve it.
The borough now has seven reserves after Pennington Flash, which is important regionally for its wildfowl and wetland birds, and Kirkless, in Aspull, was chosen.
Clr David Molyneux, deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Local Nature Reserves offer the people of Wigan Borough the opportunity to experience nature and enjoy the outdoors on their doorstep.”
Kirkless was part of the former Wigan Iron and Steel Works site and is home to the nationally scarce and protected Willow Tit.
The two new nature reserves means Wigan Council has now exceeded Natural England’s target of one hectare of Local Nature Reserve for every 1,000 residents.
The sites were chosen by the council and its partners at Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust and Lancashire Wildlife Trust.
This was in consultation with Natural England, local communities and other interest groups.
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