A PARISH council seeking funds to nurture an "amazing" green space which became a place of "solace" for villagers during the Covid pandemic has made the top ten shortlist in the Airbus Community Awards 2021.

It means Huntington Parish Council, on the outskirts of Chester, is guaranteed to win at least £1,000, but it could also secure a whopping £7,000 if it comes out on top in the grand public vote.

The Airbus Community Awards, supported by the Leader, offers 10 deserving causes within a 20-mile radius of the Broughton site the chance to share in £20,000, with first, second, third and runners-up prizes up for grabs.

Huntington Parish Council clerk Louise Gibson says the village's green space 'Jubilee Field' has become extremely popular with all generations seeking solace and a safe place to go during the pandemic.

It has been described as the "jewel in the crown of Huntington" and the village's greatest asset.

Louise said: "We have so many people now coming to enjoy our green space so we need to do more to nurture this amazing space.

"We want to create ponds to encourage more wildlife and from the willow that will be cleared from the space, we want to create natural dead hedging which will protect the wildflower and woodland area from the younger children's area but still provide cohesion between the two."

The parish council has sourced conservation experts from a local charity and will run volunteer programmes and workshops for all ages to get involved in the project.

As well as encouraging new natural habitats, the project will be educational for the community and culminate in the creation of a volunteer group to oversee the space.

Louise added: "Not only would this be educational, it makes the field a place for the whole community to come and enjoy for the next 100 years.

"We cannot begin to tell you what amazing benefit this project would bring in terms of environmental causes, encouraging biodiversity, education and bringing generations together to enjoy green open spaces."

TO VOTE FOR THIS PROJECT CLICK HERE.