The Manx Wildlife Trust has teamed up with the Co-op to raise money to help fund a conservation project in Ramsey.

MWT volunteers recently sold raffle tickets to customers in the town’s shops, raising £1,122 for the trust.

The money will go towards creating a 60-acre forest with a nature and play trail, and creating more accessible paths for mountain bikes.

Ian Davies, the northern MWT volunteer who organised the event, said: ’The creativity and support from Co-op staff has been awesome.

’Ramsey Forest is a major project which will stretch long into the future but is already generating positive change for wildlife and people alike.’

The trust is one of several charities in the north that are recipients of the Co-op’s 1% for local causes scheme generated by Co-op members buying Co-op-branded products. The trust is the very first environmental charity to be chosen and has already received an £4,500 interim payment in May, with the rest to come in November.

MWT took several groups of Co-op Ramsey store staff up to the Hairpin Woodland Park to show them some of the work that their funds have made possible.

MWT conservation officer and Ramsey Forest project lead, Andree Dubbeldam, was able to point out the improved footpaths, tots trail and hazel maze and describe the future for the site including a ’logstickle’ course for older children.

Sue Iceley, the manager of the Co-op’s Parliament Street shop, said: ’As we have become better informed on the long-term Ramsey Forest project, we can appreciate it is already producing results people can see, feel and enjoy.’