PLANS to spend £3million on an endangered bird native to East Lancashire is fantastic news to conservationists.

But the news is undoubtedly going to be something of a surprise to the people living in this area purely because of the figures involved.

The money, the majority of which will come from Lottery funding, could make a huge impact on any number of projects in the deprived neighbourhoods of this region.

There are just over 100 of the twites in the whole of Lancashire and those in the know at the RSPB and Lancashire County Council have made the saviour of little birds a priority.

This is a bold move, and it is to be hoped that by improving and reclaiming the peatland in the hills between Burnley and Rossendale that wildlife on the whole can benefit.

There are a lot of problems in the towns near to where this songbird makes its home but it is all about priorities.

Clearly this is an important issue for the RSPB.

Let us hope that if such a large amount of cash can be found to save a little bird then the authorities can find similar investment to boost those people who make this area their home.