By SARAH HARKER

NEGLECTED green oases throughout Warrington have been placed under the protection of council environment watchdogs.

Nine previously unprotected areas have been adopted as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation under a new preservation scheme operated by Warrington Borough Council.

The initiative will safeguard mature woodlands in Grappenhall Heys, trees at privatelyowned Latchford railway sidings, the Twiggeries wetland at Padgate Brook, a former sewage site at Westy Point, wildlife havens near St Helens Canal at Sankey Bridges, and the private Woolston New Cut.

The scheme will also protect roosting bats at Mary Ann Plantation, Westbrook, birds at Little and Big Moss woods and seed plantation in Callands, and Cheshire's oldest hawthorn hedges at Paddington Meadows.

David Bell of Warrington Nature Conservation Forum said, "It is important we protect these special areas.

"Most of these areas are lost due to neglect or inappropriate management."

Designed to place more emphasis on public access and community value, the new SINC scheme will replace existing safeguards introduced under Cheshire County Council. A further 12 conservation areas which were already protected by the old system will now become SINC designated sites.