BOLTON West MP Chris Green took in the breathtaking sights of the Smithills Estate during a hike with the site’s new owners, the Woodland Trust.

The historic 1,700 acre site will be the largest ever acquired by the conservation charity, which already has two-thirds of the estate in its ownership and is fundraising to buy the final third.

The trust then plans to restore the iconic estate to its former glory.

Tory MP Mr Green joined the Woodland Trust’s Sara Wood, regional development officer and James Cooper, head of government affairs, on a walk around the site, where he heard about their plans, including planting more trees, attracting social enterprise companies and bringing the estate’s industrial features back to life.

He said: “I’m very pleased that the magnificent Smithills Estate is now under the protection of the Woodland Trust.

“I am confident that their ambitious plans will restore this historic site back to its former glory.”

The Bolton News reported last week that the trust has secured a £180,000 grant from the Viridor Credits Environmental Company, which has allowed it to take ownership of a further 50 acres of land around the Brown Stones Quarry.

The trust already manages the whole Smithills estate, and following a public appeal for funds, last year bought two-thirds of the 1,700-acre landscape, but is still fundraising to complete the entire purchase and begin restoration of habitats as well as improving access for local people.