A SALISBURY beauty spot will receive a £10,000 cash boost to improve safety and allow more people to enjoy it.

The Folly at Bemerton Heath is due to be designated a local nature reserve later this month but there are fears that it will be under-used and spoilt because of antisocial behaviour in the area.

To combat the problem, Salisbury district council has worked alongside other agencies to secure funding from the government's Operation Gate It initiative.

The money will help address the fear of crime by opening up the woodland, which has suffered vandalism, loutish behaviour and illegal dumping, while making it more accessible to the community.

Two new kissing gates will be installed to prevent motorcycles from speeding across the nature reserve, and disabled access will be improved.

Fences will be repaired and there are plans to plant extra hedgerows to discourage fly-tipping.

The proposals also include a new footpath across the Folly, with the surrounding trees thinned to improve visibility and make the area seem less threatening to walkers and visitors.

The Bemerton Heath community will be involved in the redesign and young people in particular are being invited to have their say.

Environment community development officer Vicky Fletcher said: "Salisbury district council supported the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers in its funding bid for the Bemerton and Barnards Folly woodland.

"The money will be used to reduce antisocial behaviour on the site.

"The partners will be meeting shortly to discuss exactly how the money should be spent and the project delivered."

Portfolio holder for the environment and transport Dennis Brown added: "I am absolutely delighted that we have been successful in getting this grant.

"This money will be used to help make this local nature reserve even more special and able to be enjoyed by everyone."

Last Wednesday, the council's cabinet formally agreed to designate the Folly a nature reserve, only the second in the district after the Avon Valley.

It is hoped that the reserve will be used for more community projects and activities, with the council's parks department taking responsibility for maintenance and clearing rubbish.

The reserve will officially be announced after July 14, to coincide with Local Nature Reserves Week.