Mountains scheme gets £1.5m grant

The HLF said the area would be safeguarded for "generations"

Conservation work at two major mountain ranges in north east Wales is to receive a £1.5m boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

It will help restore six Iron Age hill forts, as well as improve paths and manage moorland in the Clwydian Range and Llantysilio mountains.

It is hoped the grant will protect breeding grounds for birds including black and red grouse.

Work will cover a 60 sq km area of the mountain ranges.

Dan Clayton Jones, chairman of the HLF in Wales said the work would safeguard the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

He added: "Supporting a project with such far-reaching benefits is a wonderful way to celebrate our 1,500th grant award in Wales.

"The natural and human heritage found within the Clwydian Range and Llantysilio mountains is invaluable and this project will not only safeguard it for future generations, but put its welfare in the hands of the community."

Breeding grounds

A number of schemes have been undertaken in recent years to improve the growth of heather on the moorland, which has been damaged by 4x4 drivers and motorcyclists.

Many birds, including grouse, hen harriers and merlins, use the habitat as a breeding ground and in 2003 environmentalists spent £100,000 cutting strips of heather to ensure it grew back more vigorously.

Denbighshire councillor Sue Roberts said: "The natural and historic heritage of the Clwydian Range and Llantysilio mountain are of international importance."

Carwyn Jones, the assembly education and culture minister said the grant was excellent news for Wales.

He said: "It will bring enormous benefit to the landscape, the historical monuments, the wildlife, the people who live in the area and the many tourists who visit this spectacular part of the country."

The HLF said the latest grant took its total funding in Wales to more than £180m.