A HARTFORD woodland nature reserve is the first conservation area in Vale Royal to be awarded Green Flag status after extensive preservation work was carried out at the site.

Mayor of Vale Royal, Clr Anne Hooker, raised the Civic Trust awarded flag for the first time at an unveiling ceremony on Saturday.

The ceremony, at the Stones Manor Lane entrance to Marshall's Arm nature reserve, honoured the work done by the Local Management Group.

A walk through the woodland took place immediately after the 10am unfurling and children belonging to the Marshall's Arm Watch Wildlife Trust group planted bluebells

Elaine Weller, Vale Royal borough council's nature conservation officer, said: "This is the first nature reserve in the borough to be awarded a Green Flag and it is presented just as the woodland bluebells are blooming."

Marshall's Arm management chairman Stuart Poucher led a walk from 2pm.