77446-32RESIDENTS in Rodbourne Green now have a woodland path. The Rodbourne Green Residents' Association has made a route through the wood from Rodbourne Green to the field at Akers Way.

The work was carried out by volunteers and was supported by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

Association secretary Robert Slade said: "The path is part of a wider project to improve the environment in which we live."

Rodbourne Green was a village until 1929 and still retains a separate identity from the rest of Swindon.

Mr Slade said: "It's a conservation area and residents feel very proud of it.

"They enjoy helping to improve it."

There were 12 volunteers at the site all ready to roll their sleeves up and get stuck into some hard work.

Mr Slade said: "I am delighted at how many people turned up to help.

"It goes to show that Rodbourne Green's got a real community feel.

"It was as much a social event as anything else and we all came together to build the path."

Neil Pullen, Swindon wildlife officer for the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, has lived in the area all of his life.

He said: "There is so much fabulous wildlife here that it's great to make it even nicer for people.

"It's a real gem in the middle of Swindon."

Materials to build the path were donated by the WWT and Mr Slade is hoping to plant wild flowers by the side of it in the future.