GREEN campaigners in Pendle have welcomed the designation of two more Local Nature Reserves in the borough.

Alkincoats Woodland and Greenfield, both in Colne, have been approved by Pendle councillors and English Nature to become Local Nature Reserves.

They will join Lomeshaye Marsh and Upper Ballgrove as designated Local Nature Reserves.

The move adds a further 11.2 hectares to Pendle's LNR, bringing the total to around 15 hectares.

Coun Sharon Davies, chair of Colne area committee said: "Alkincoats Woodland and Greenfield are great areas for wildlife.

"The decision to make them Local Nature Reserves shows our continued commitment to the environment.

"One of the less obvious advantages to a LNR is the ability to create site specific byelaws which can assist us in the fight against anti-social behaviour and vandalism, which is currently a problem at Alkincoats."

English Nature recommends that all councils should aim at having one hectare of LNR for every 1,000 people.

So with Pendle's population at around 90,000 the overall target is to have 90 hectares designated. Brian Jackson, of Friends of the Earth, said: "We broadly welcome the setting up of any extra areas where wildlife is protected, especially areas of woodland.

"Lots of wildlife such as songbirds and field mice, is in decline and setting up areas like this can only benefit them."

Mr Jackson, however, said areas of mature woodland such as that at the Red Lane beauty spot needed to be conserved rather than felled, which the council was doing .