Hard work over the last five years has come to a fruitful end with the opening of Nightingale Wood.

The wood, on the edge of South Marston, is open to the public and people are being encouraged to use and enjoy the area.

The Great Western Community Forest has been working on the wood for the last five years and has created a landscape of wooded areas, open space and wetlands.

A path has now also been completed which will allow people of all walking abilities to tour through the wood.

The path will take visitors to the restored South Marston Brook and new wetlands where a bird-hide will soon be opened.

GWCF field officer Patrick Norris said the wood represents an enormous success for everyone involved in the project.

He hopes the area will become popular with people from around Swindon.

Nightingale Wood will be officially opened by South Swindon MP Julia Drown on Monday, October 30.