AN OVERGROWN picnic area at a Portland nature reserve is set to be ‘reinvigorated’ for the local community.

Island Play (iPlay) has exciting plans in the pipeline to restore and improve the site at Verne Local Nature Reserve.

The borough council-owned area has been neglected for years and is no longer in use but the charity has secured £500 to do a ‘scoping study’ for the project.

Contractors will soon be hired to clear the site to enable more detailed plans to be made.

iPlay has also applied for a £6,000 grant from NatWest Community Force but needs public support to secure the funding.

Group chairman Debbie Smith said: “We are very excited about our iPlay Wild Base Camp project as it will provide the opportunity for a variety of ages to work together to improve and protect the natural environment by creating and sustaining a natural and inspirational community space.

“We plan to transform this neglected area to make it safe, welcoming, interesting and enjoyable for events such as family picnics, coastal ambles or school outings.”

She added: “We also plan to create a nature or adventure trail with discovery paths and arches which will provide a stimulating environment for our intrepid explorers.

“This will be accompanied by a living monument, hide and interpretation panel to raise awareness of threatened local wildlife.

“We do very much hope people will vote for our project when voting opens on September 26 so we can make turn our iPlay Wild Base Camp vision into a reality." Portland ranger Lyn Cooch, from the Wild About Weymouth and Portland Project who is supporting iPlay Wild, said: “It’s great iPlay have chosen the Verne Local Nature Reserve as a focus for their iPlay Wild energies and natural play activities.

“It’s a wonderful place for getting out and enjoying wildlife literally on your doorstep.

“There’s lots of work that can be done to improve access and enjoyment for people which will also help to improve habitats for wildlife such as opening up the view point and uncovering pockets of grassland where cowslips are currently hidden under dense bramble.

“The group will work closely with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council – the landowner – and nature conservation organisations to get the best for wildlife and for children and young people on the island.”

Voting for the NatWest Community Force funding will start on Monday, September 26 and ends on October 23.