BOSSES at Natural England have approved the appointment of West Pennine Moors becoming a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI).

The site, which stretches from Blackburn and Darwen down to Ramsbottom, is home to merlin, curlew and snipe, and blanket bogs.

Natural England will work with land owners to continue to protect and enhance the wildlife in the area.

This includes sensitive management of blanket bogs through careful grazing by cattle or sheep, and maintaining water levels at or around the surface of the peat to make sure the habitat is at its healthiest.

The South Pennine Moors, which surrounds parts of Burnley, Bacup, Pendle and Todmorden, was given SSSI status in September 1994.