Bristol biodiversity action plan launched

TV presenter and radio broadcaster Phillippa Forrester helped launch the city council's new biodiversity action plan at Bristol Zoo.

Forrester, who lives near Bath, makes nature programmes and is interested in conservation.

The council says the city's natural environment is in safe hands thanks to the development of the plan. It provides a framework for the conservation and improvement of priority habitats and species in the city.

The action plan sets out detailed measures to help species such as the otter, water vole and hedgehog, and habitats such as wildflower meadows, woodlands and reed beds.

Steve Grainger, chief executive of Avon Wildlife Trust, has backed the plan. He said: "Bristol is quite unique as a city with so much wildlife on its doorstep.

"The wild places and green corridors in the city give countless opportunities to people to experience the natural world."