THE FIRST phase of a £3.6 million nature restoration project to boost the county's wildlife has received funding.

Plans to restore a 418 square kilometre area of east Worcestershire have taken a step forward after £94,815 was awarded to Worcestershire Wildlife Trust by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Mike Perry, chief executive of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, said: "A Network for Nature is a wonderful opportunity to help both wildlife and people in the east of our beautiful county.