CAMPAIGNERS who successfully fought plans for a supertip at Red Moss, Horwich, are to be recognised for their efforts.

Members of the Red Moss Action Group will be presented with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust's 1997 award by naturalist Dr David Bellamy when he visits the SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) tomorrow morning.

Dr Bellamy, right, is expected to spend more than an hour on the Moss as part of a day-long visit to the North West organised by Lancashire and Cheshire Wildlife Trusts during the nation-wide Wildlife Week.

During his visit, Dr Bellamy will also be handing over a Vision for the Future of Red Moss, to Bolton councillors and officials. The plan has been drawn up by Lancashire Wildlife Trust and includes ways of enhancing the area and protecting it against any future development. Dr Bellamy will also be meeting children from Lord Street Primary School in Horwich, who have taken a keen interest in the campaign to save Red Moss, before leaving by helicopter for his next engagement at Moore Nature Reserve in Warrington.

Chairman of Red Moss Action Committee, Barry Thornton, said it was a real coup to have Dr Bellamy visit Red Moss, and was delighted that he would be presenting the Group with the Trust's award.

"We are really pleased to be receiving this award. We did not expect it. It will be the first public recognition we have had since the group was formed about two and a half years ago," said Mr Thornton.

Mr Thornton said it would also be a great opportunity for the youngsters from Lord Street Primary to attend, and follows an art competition on the theme of Red Moss, which he ran in seven local schools in Horwich and Blackrod last year.

Mr Thornton said he would have liked children from all the participating schools to attend but unfortunately it was not possible.

Despite winning the two-year battle against UK Waste's plans for a supertip, members of the Red Moss Action Committee still continue to hold meetings every month.

"We are now in our second phase and want Red Moss and the periphery to be preserved as a conservation area," added Mr Thornton.

Our Environmental Future starts page 11.

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