AFTER the visit from the Duke of Gloucester, the Avon Meadows wetlands project has had some more good news after Wychavon District Council secured a grant of £230,000.

The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will be used on a new project starting in 2013 and running for three years to improve the wetlands further.

Some of the plans for the money include getting more volunteers from schools and the community, putting in new footpaths and easily opened gates and better access for disabled visitors and families with pushchairs.

The project will also aim to be more interactive for younger people and more informative, using quick response codes to scan in to mobile phones to reveal adventure trails and information.

Jim Burgin, heritage manager for Wychavon District Council, said: “We feel this project is the start of a bright future for Avon Meadows and the local community and we are excited to see how this will benefit the local area.

“The Duke showed a real interest and it’s great to have his support.

It’s wonderful to get the grant and to be spending it in a way that will not only help the community but the local environment as well.”

Pershore Town Council said it was very pleased with the announcement and looked forward to working on the project.

For more details on the project, call Jim Burgin on 01386 565366 or e-mail jim.burgin@wychavon.gov.uk.