THE status of a Winchester reserve as a site of European importance for nature conservation will be strengthened with an injection of cash by the city council.
The Cabinet of the council has pledged £10,000 per year for five years for the Winnall Moors Heritage Lottery Project, starting in 2008.
Winnall Moors is a unique 158-acre area of the Itchen chalk river valley close to the heart of the city centre. It is home to some of Britain's most endangered wildlife, including otters, water voles and banded damsel flies.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust own the majority of the Moor, the most recent purchase being in 2006.
Councillor John Higgins, who represents St John and All Saints ward, said: "I came to support this proposal even though it isn't in my ward. I have spoken to the councillors in that ward and they are very keen on this. With this grant the work carried out will allow sizeable improvement for access to the area and will be a benefit to all of Winchester, not just this part of the town."
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