RESIDENTS in Herefordshire will have the opportunity to get involved in preserving their rich natural heritage courtesy of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Madley Environmental Study Centre (MESC) will use £83,000 of lottery cash to fill a gap in Herefordshire by providing new environmental education resources.

Not only teaching local people about the environment, MESC aims to get everyone actively involved in preserving their natural heritage for future generations.

Learning will not just be about the facts - but a hands-on experience to enable all to take action to improve the environment.

Originally a World War II air base, the environment centre site is now rich in many sources of flora, fauna and wildlife, providing an excellent example of the county's habitats.

As well as teaching people about the wealth of natural heritage that surrounds them, MESC also aims to get a wider range of people involved in environmental issues.

By training teachers and community leaders they hope to reach people who have previously had little contact with nature activities.

There will also be hands-on experience at the site and activities based in schools and youth clubs and even a web site for those who can't visit.

Heritage Lottery Fund Regional Manager for the West Midlands, Sheena Vick said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to join in and help preserve the rich natural environment that makes Herefordshire so special.

"Development of the centre's education work will not only help protect the future of Herefordshire's natural heritage, it will also contribute to sustaining the environment for the whole planet."