NEW homes are on their way to Newent, but these are a little smaller than many might expect.

Newent Town Council’s Jubilee Wildlife Walk will soon have new residents, thanks to a selection of bat and bird boxes being installed along the disabled, access for all path.

Local residents and businesses have come together to make the most of a grant of £5,000 from the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust which was applied for by town councillors in 2016.

And members of Newent’s Dolphin Gateway Club, the local branch of Mencap, painted bird boxes at Newent Memorial Hall over the winter as part of the project.

This followed the donation of the materials by Phil Jones Timber Merchants and production of the little houses by local resident Dave Warren.

Newent town councillor, Chris Howley said: "Everyone has been so generous. This could not have all come together without the kind donations and volunteering made by so many people.”

One resident who took part in the painting said: “This is a fantastic project. I have really enjoyed taking part and I know lots of others have as well.”

The freshly painted bird boxes will not be the only part of the project to encourage local wildlife.

Bat boxes, handmade and donated by local carpenter George Price, will also soon be installed along with trees and shrubs given by Elmcroft Tree Nursery, The Woodland Trust, and The Community Volunteering Charity.

Groundworks for this project got started following a contribution from local businesses.

District Councillor Len Lawton, who is also President of the Memorial Hall, said “This is a great example of how the local community can work together.

“I am looking forward to joining the Dolphin Club for their first walk on the trail next spring to check out the installed boxes”

Local branches of Ermin Plant and Buildbase assisted with materials for the project which also sees stag beetle areas installed along the route to encourage biodiversity.

The project will soon be completed when all the local wildlife habitats have been installed in time for the spring along with a new information board which will help residents and tourists spot the different animals and plants along the Jubilee Wildlife Walk.