A new community group made up of volunteers has been set up to get people active and to encourage more local wildlife.

The Poundbury Volunteer Group is a new project to make better use of green spaces in the area, whilst helping nurture local wildlife.

Meeting at least one Monday a month, the group of around six people gathered on January 15 for the first time to rake grass after habitat managers, EuCAN, came to remove evasive brambles on Middle Farm Way.

The brambles on the road, whilst giving a benefit to birds, meant that nothing is able to grow underneath the weed due to its density.

Research has also shown that the non-native plant was moving at a speed of six meters a year. 

Dr Miles King, who is also organiser of the People Need Nature project in Poundbury, set up the project and said the response from volunteers has been amazing.

He said: “We’ve had a great response and it’s been so nice to see people get stuck in to help out with the local environment.

“There are fantastic things to see in the Amazon rainforest of course, and amazing sights in Purbeck but it’s great to get people to see that there are incredible things on your doorstep.”

Yellow-rattle seeds were then sowed on the newly mown areas of Middle Farm Way. This will help control the coarser grasses, allowing wildflowers to thrive.

The group's next gathering is set for Monday, February 5.

If you would like to know more about the group or get involved, contact miles.king@peopleneednature.org.uk