VOLUNTEERS took up their rakes and put their backs into a day of hard work to help create a new riverside wildflower meadow.

The project is part of the Suffolk Coastal’s Footprints initiative to enhance even further the quality of the local countryside.

Work was carried out by a team of volunteers to rake the grass in a field on the banks of the River Orwell at the Nacton picnic site – recently taken over by Suffolk Coastal – to establish a new meadow.

Similar work was also carried out at Melton Riverside to improve an existing wildflower haven.

“We have some of the finest natural green spaces in Britain, with an unbeatable range of ancient heaths, shingle beaches, flourishing woodlands, working farmland and flower rich meadows,” said Andrew Nunn, cabinet member for the green environment at Suffolk Coastal.

“But with so many green spaces open to the public we do need help to do everything that ideally needs doing which is why we launched the Footprints campaign to encourage volunteering.

“Being part of Footprints is a rewarding way to enhance your local environment and leave a lasting legacy.

“There are opportunities for individuals or businesses to offer sponsorship, make a donation or volunteer their time or skills to work with us.

“Footprints is helping us protect and enhance hundreds of acres of landscape – from heathland to village greens – and will also ensure our rich variety of wildlife has a home for many years to come.”

? The project holds regular work parties at various sites across the district to carry out practical conservation tasks – call 01394 444619 for more details.