Wildlife trust runs council sites

The wildlife trust will run guided walks and other activities

Some of the "most important" countryside sites owned by Mole Valley Council are to be managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust.

The five sites include The Nower, Ashstead Park Local Nature Reserve, and grazing land at Norbury Park.

Under the arrangement the conservation charity will provide a ranger service, work with volunteers on maintenance and run guided walks and other activities.

It follows a similar deal between the trust and Surrey County Council.

The chairty manages the county council's countryside estate.

'Real difference'

Trust chairman Alan Oakley said: "This is a very exciting opportunity and there is much to be optimistic about."

He said the trust had already provided a warden.

He added that the charity would work with volunteers to make decisions and run hands-on maintenance, which was "a great way of looking after sites like these".

Mole Valley councillor Janette Purkiss, said the trust had "a proven record of successfully managing countryside sites" and the charity's knowledge and expertise would make a real difference.