Local residents are being invited to take part in a training day to help build and install a rain water harvesting system near Sandbach.

Hassall Green Nature Reserve, a two-hectare site which the Land Trust opened in 2014, has a 'Ground Force' type event tomorrow (Thursday).

(Image: Land Trust)

The reserve's Green Angels have teamed up with United Utilities and Wain Homes to help build and install a rain water harvesting system.  

Hassall Green Nature Reserve is home to wildlife, including great crested newts, grass snakes, hedgehogs, rabbits, badgers, bats and owls as well as rare orchids and other wildflowers.

Green Angels is the Land Trust's award-winning free environmental training programme delivered on Land Trust sites across the country, including Hassall Green.

Rebecca Mooney, Green Angels' project officer based at Hassall Green said: "This project will enable site users to have access to rain water to help maintain a variety of areas on site for years to come.

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Hassall Green Nature Reserve (Photo: Land Trust)

"We recently built a variety of raised beds that the Friends of Hassall Green Nature Reserve maintain. The rainwater harvesting system will enable the group to maintain these beds all year round without the need for them to bring water to the site.

"The rainwater harvesting system will also serve as an educational tool, allowing the Land Trust and our managing partner, Groundwork, to educate site visitors on the importance of rainwater harvesting and the environmental benefits that come with it."

A spokesperson said: "This is an exciting opportunity to engage with the Green Angels project, whilst also working alongside two large organisations to improve their knowledge, skills and experience in environmental initiatives.

"The installation of a rainwater harvesting system is vital for the nature reserve as we do not have a direct water supply. This project will create a unique, lasting legacy that your services users will be proud to be a part of."

Stuart Edwards from United Utilities' Sustainable Development team said: "The remote nature of the site meant that it would have been very expensive to introduce a drinking water supply, so when we realised this wasn't needed, we were delighted to be able to step in to provide the water butts needed for this rainwater harvesting system

The installation day tomorrow takes place from 9 am until 5 pm and all PPE is provided. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cold drinks and snack will be provided but volunteers are asked to take their own packed lunch.

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