A DROITWICH charity is preparing plans for a brand new nature reserve to transform a piece of "neglected" land in Droitwich.

The Droitwich Waterways (Pamela May) Trust is researching the possibility of developing land along the canal bank close to Hanbury Road into a protected area for wildlife and plants.

Sandy Laird, who has been involved with the Trust since 2011, said: "We are going to cut back the grass and develop it into a spot for nesting boxes and things - it will be a flora and fauna area.

"It has got a few trees on it and scrub and bushes, and there was a chap living in a tent on it a few months ago. It really is deserted and neglected land. It is just waste land, it is just bush and scrub and weeds."

A trustee of the charity, who is also an ecologist, is currently surveying the area to find out what wildlife is currently living on the land.

The Trust will then seek permission to develop the space from the Canal and River Trust (CRT), which owns the canal bank, and Wychavon District Council which owns the rest of the land.

"It will just be a nice place for people to walk on and look pretty," said Mr Laird, who is also a councillor at Droitwich Town Council.

He continued: "It would be a nice area for people to explore and wander around on - and it tidies up the canal bank."

The land lies roughly between Swan Drive and Droitwich Spa Marina, and covers about half a mile of the canal bank, extending back around 100 yards from the water.

Canal habitats are often home to a diverse range of wildlife, whether it is on the banks or in the water itself.

According to the CRT, which cares for 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales, waterways and towpaths create "green corridors", providing a connection between various habitats, allowing creatures to move around easily from one area to another.

Animals and insects including dragonflies, ducks, water voles, fish and otters can make canal banks and waterways their home, while a huge array of flowers flourish along towpath verges and in hedgerows.

Royal Yachting Association-qualified volunteers at The Droitwich Waterways Trust runs the Pamela May, a community charity narrowboat based in Vines Park.

The Trust gives disabled, elderly and disadvantaged members of the community a chance to explore the waterways. The boat is fitted with a powered lift and toilet facilities with wheelchair access.

Anyone is welcome to join the group as a volunteer. Contact Mr Laird on 01905 773620.

For more information about the Trust visit pamelamay.org.uk or go to the Trust's webssite https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/

What do you think about the The Droitwich Waterways (Pamela May) Trust's plans?