Portland Gas donates £34,500 to coast project

11:50am Sunday 12th October 2008

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PORTLAND ranger Lyn Cooch will continue to help protect the island’s wildlife thanks to financial support from the Portland Gas Trust.

The trust was established by Portland Gas plc to donate money to community projects after the company was given the go-ahead to construct 14 gas storage caverns under the island.

It has agreed to donate £34,500 to the Portland Coast and Countryside Partnership Project.

The money will be used to bridge a funding gap for the employment of the Portland ranger as well as producing a revised set of Portland walk cards and wildlife leaflets.

Mrs Cooch, whose post has been secured until 2011 by the donation, said: “This is a significant contribution, enabling projects to continue which are helping to increase awareness of Portland’s unique natural environment, improve accessibility and encourage community involvement.

“With Portland Gas pledging to reopen the missing link in the round island walk, it’s also an ideal opportunity to redo the walk cards and wildlife leaflets.”

Portland Gas shares fell by 25 and three quarter pence to 216 and a quarter pence before the stockmarket opened this morning.

The fall came amid heavy share price falls generally but also came after a progress update. However, Portland Gas said it had held discussions with potential partners and that its talks on an outline deal would be ‘advanced significantly’ before the end of the year.