Works to widen and strengthen a hedge at Chase Meadow in Warwick have recently been completed by Warwick District Council's green spaces team as part of a district wide hedge-laying programme.

The hedge, which borders the footpath and cycleway from Youngs Close to Blackblades Boulevard, forms part of 500 metres of hedge-laying to be done by the council this year.

Other sites which have benefitted include Radford Road Meadows in Leamington Spa, Otters Rest in Sydenham and the Woodloes in Warwick.

Cllr Will Roberts portfolio holder for neighbourhood S=services commented: "Traditional hedge-laying, the process of partially cutting through and then bending the stems of shrubs or small trees near ground level has been practiced for centuries.

"The hedge planted at Chase Meadow was part of the original housing development, so needed 'laying' to promote natural growth, helping to form an ever-growing natural barrier and offer an important habitat for wildlife including birds and small mammals."

The green spaces team would like to reassure those living nearby that although the hedge currently looks quite bare and stark, it will regrow during the spring and summer months.