A wildlife garden which it is hoped will preserve some of Melksham’s birds, bees and insects has been started on a piece of wasteland in the town.

The project, which is being co-ordinated by the Melksham Climate Friendly Group in association with the West End pub in Semington Road, started on Saturday with work continuing over the coming months.

Project leader Scott Aldersley, from the Climate Friendly Group, said he had been inspired to transform the a piece of disused land near to the pub, which is owned by the Hungry Horse chain.

He got in touch with the pub’s owners and they agreed to let him and the group cultivate the area by planting trees, flowers and creating a space to attract wildlife.

Mr Aldersley said: “We had about 15 people down there on Saturday helping, but we are still appealing for volunteers and anyone who can donate things like compost, use of a rotovator, wall flowers, cherry trees or crab apple trees.

“A lot of bird and butterfly species are facing extinction and the bee population is generally down by about 40 per cent, so we are hoping this wildlife garden will attract more of them to the area.”

Anyone interested in helping with the garden on May 2 or May 3, or who can make a donation, can contact Mr Aldersley at scottaldersley@hotmail.co.uk