A WOODLAND and wildlife hotspot transformed by a group of volunteers has been targeted by mindless vandals in recent months.

The chairman of the Peel Hall Conservation Group (PHCG) Ste Dodd has called on the community to be vigilant to ensure further damage is not caused to the John Parr Meadow and adjacent woodland between Radley Common and the M62 at Winwick.

Fires in the area have been reported to Cheshire Police but Ste has asked for anyone with information to come forward.

He said: “Shortly before Christmas it was reported to me that there was a fire in the parish woodland we manage.

“I took a walk over and one of our habitat piles had been set alight

“The fact was reported to the police but it was accepted that not a lot could be done about it at the time.”

Over the past two years, PHCG have raised more than £20,000 to transform the area for the public.

The money have been used to buy equipment to teach people about how to manage, record and enjoy the wildlife in Warrington.

The majority of the money was spent transforming the John Parr Meadow and the opposite woodland.

Ste, who has been chairman of the group since its launch two years ago, added:

“Unfortunately the fires have started again and more habitat piles and standing trees have been set alight.

“I see this act as criminal damage and think something should be done about.

“We are putting all this effort in for a small element of the community to destroy part of the work we have done.”

A lot has been achieved in the short time the group has been in operation, but Ste is keen for the group to continue their work without the setback caused by vandals.

To report information call Cheshire Police on 101 citing crime incident number CC15383794‏ or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.