76575-05SPARROWS, voles and otters will benefit from the Swindon Biodiversity Action Plan.

The plan, launched at Roves Farm on Saturday, aims to get people involved in wildlife conservation, protection and enhancement.

The plan also aims to increase populations of important species such as newts and bats.

Neil Pullen, Swindon Wildlife officer said: "We are celebrating two years work today to get this plan into action.

"The plan sets out a series of targets we want to achieve in the town over the next 10 years.

"I have also set three targets I would like to see in the borough over that time."

According to Mr Pullen there are currently only around two populations of three sparrows in the borough but he wants to see that increase tenfold across the town.

"I also want every person in the Swindon borough to be able to have easy access to wildlife space, somewhere where they can enjoy the wildlife.

"The biggest challenge would be to make Swindon a world leader in providing several landscaped areas for wildlife."

The plan is to get individuals, groups, schools and even businesses involved in Wildlife conservation across the town, in ways that might not ordinarily spring to mind, including setting aside part of your garden for wildlife, or even volunteering on wildlife management tasks on nature reserves.

Among the creatures expected to blossom as a result would be the tiny water vole, whose populations were decimated by the introduction of the mink from North America.

Mark Satinet, Water Vole Recovery project officer said: "The Water Vole would be one of many species to recover in this area.

"If work was carried out to repair habitats a variety of species would come back, like the water vole and even the otter."

To find out how to get involved in the action plan call Neil on 01793 526228 for a leaflet.