CONSERVATION crusader Marilyn Beale has been honoured for helping to preserve Swindon's wildlife.

Marilyn has won this year's Swindon Council environmental award for her commitment to wildlife.

She will be presented with the honour by mayor Derek Benfield in front of the full council on Thursday.

Marilyn, 59, of Avebury Road, Penhill, has been involved in numerous initiatives over the years, including helping to start the Seven Fields Conserva-tion Group.

She said: "I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of everyone who has helped me over the years.

"I admit to being a good organiser, but I couldn't do it without the help of other people."

Marilyn helped form the Seven Fields Conservation Group in 1989.

The group helps to manage the council-owned Seven Fields Nature Reserve in Penhill.

In 1995, the group got the site registered as an official nature reserve.

She has played a major role in promoting the area, and gives talks to community groups and leads walks around the 100-acre reserve.

More recently she helped to create a community orchard and garden in Penhill to promote healthy eating.

The orchard, which has 150 apple, pear and plum trees was planted in April on derelict land off Leigh Road.

Volunteers raised around £10,000 from the Lottery and other grant-making bodies to create the orchard.

The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers recently donated £7,000 to install raised vegetable beds at the site.

Local residents will help plant crops such as potatoes, and the food will be distributed in the community.

Fruit grown on the trees will be handed out to local children to encourage them to eat healthily.

Marilyn, a mother-of-three, who was born and bred in Swindon, has had a lifelong love of nature.

She said: "I grew up in Rodbourne, when it was on the edge of town and it was a short walk to open countryside.

"I just took it for granted, but I became more interest ed in conservation when I got older and realised that Swindon was growing and gradually taking over the surrounding countryside."

In the early 1990s, Marilyn was a member of the Northern Development Action Committee, which was formed to fight plans to expand Swindon to the north.

Marilyn was nominated for the award by Bill King, chairman of the Seven Fields Conservation Group, who said: "I think Marilyn's dedication and tenacity is an example to everybody and her efforts motivate residents who wouldn't normally be active in their local community and environment."