WILDLIFE watchers will be flocking back to a nature reserve after it was given a spruce-up by green-fingered volunteers.

The team of helpers laid hedges, cut back overgrown shrubs and cleared paths at the Haymill Nature Reserve, known as The Millie.

They were led by Vicky Aitkenhead, a trainee on the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust’s Developing Green Talent programme.

She said: “Haymill Valley nature reserve suffers from vandalism and improper use, and it isn’t easy for people to go there to enjoy watching wildlife.

“We wanted to help restore it as a place for wildlife as well as people. One of the aims of the project is to change people’s perspectives of Haymill Valley. We want to improve accessibility and safety, but also give more people the chance to see wildlife close to where they live.

“There are kingfishers and green woodpeckers, flocks of great tits and blue tits, and beautiful woodland flowers in the spring.” The community nature reserve, in Whittaker Road, provides a natural corridor for wildlife and links the ancient woodland of Burnham Beeches with people’s back gardens in Slough.

The Developing Green Talent programme is a practical training scheme funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund to give people looking for a career in nature conservation the skills and experience to get started.

The team is hosting another work day from 10am-1pm on Sunday (30). They will meet at Littlebrook Avenue. Anyone interested in helping is welcome to drop by.