A ROCK Hill ant enthusiast is hoping to set up the first visiting centre dedicated to the creatures.

Mary Simones-Jones wants to build the facility for adults and children to learn about ants.

Her interest was triggered when she was clearing the overgrown area in the field to the side of her house and found eight very old ant hills. She started feeding the creatures honey, which she puts on top of the hills, to stop them coming into her house.

Now Mary wants to build a centre at the site complete with several observation units where the ants can be watched.

She said: "Ants have so much to offer people and we can learn a great deal from them. They work together and look after their family units.

"I think they are fascinating and by opening a centre we hope residents will learn about them and respect them rather than people just stamping on them."

At the site there are two species of ants and nearby there are also bats roosting so Mary wants to set up a bat trust for the area.

Anyone who would like to help Mary raise funds for the new centre can call her on 07743 451379 or email anthill34@aol.com