A THREE-year conservation campaign backed by £300,000 of sponsorship from the UK's second largest cable company is due to be launched next week.

The joint venture, involving the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and Nynex CableComms gets off the ground on Monday, at an event at Stoneyholme and Daneshouse Community centre.

Burnley MP Peter Pike will be joined by local schoolchildren at Byerden Holme Park and will help them with the foundations to a new landscaped seating area.

It is hoped the area will become a popular meeting place for the local community and an outdoor classroom for children from nearby schools as well as providing a haven for local wildlife.

Burnley Wildlife Project officer, Carrie Poskitt, said: "Last year we asked local people what they would like to see in Byerden Home Park and this led to the creation of the pond.

"The outdoor classroom and seating area was another idea in a scheme which will eventually include new footpaths, a sensory garden and more planting in the pond making this a peaceful garden for people and wildlife, right in the heart of Burnley."

Nynex CableComms executive director of corporate communications, Allen Saunders, added: "Environmental conservation is one of our highest priorities and we are delighted to be able to support environmental initiatives in the communities which the company serves.''

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