CITY councillors will decide tomorrow night if they are to support a plan to designate Offerton Wetlands as a Local Nature Reserve.

The area, which was created during the construction of the Shire Business Park in Warndon, Worcester, is recognised for its significant amenity and habitat value.

It is used for recreation by local residents and workers from the surrounding industrial units, and declaration as a Local Nature Reserve would secure its protection as a wildlife habitat and public open space.

It would cost almost nothing to change its status, and it could then attract grant aid for management.

The Wild Watch Volunteers, the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers have already been consulted about how to manage the area.

Rory McClure, Worcester City Council's project green space officer, said the designation of the area - which has become a favourite haunt for the rare brown argus butterfly - could give it more of an identity.

"Apart from a couple of signs, people won't see any dramatic change, but one of the key things about declaring it a Local Nature Reserve is that people won't take it for granted any more," he said.