Millennium Country Park: UK's best Environment Project?

The park is up for an award and prize

Millennium Country Park in the Forest of Marston Vale is in the running to become UK's Best Environment Project.

The 225-hectare park between Bedford and Milton Keynes is one of three projects shortlisted for the category.

It is part of 2010's National Lottery Awards which aim to find the UK's favourite Lottery-funded projects.

The park has been transformed from a damaged industrial piece of land in to a park that includes woodland, wetland, play areas and a wildlife garden.

Self-sufficient

Thanks to Lottery funding the area now also includes meadows, walking, cycling and horse trails, a new visitor and conference centre, which has made the project self-sufficient.

Tony Talbot from the Millennium Country Park project said:

"We are absolutely delighted to have made it to the final and want to thank everyone who has supported us so far.

"We hope that the local community will now vote for us to win so that our staff and volunteers receive the recognition they deserve."

This year's awards will be held at London's Roundhouse and are supported by the actress and former Cold Feet star, Fay Ripley.

The Park now has a woodland

The ceremony will be broadcast on BBC One in September 2010.

There are seven categories with three finalists up for an award which includes a £2,000 prize.

Public voting will decide who wins and ends on midday on Friday 13 August 2010.

The public can vote for Millennium Country Park by calling 0844 686 7607.

Calls cost 5p from a BT landline. Calls from other networks may vary, calls from mobiles could cost considerably more.

Or visit the Lottery website.