SCYTHING, pond-digging and wildflower planting will be taught in a Banbury park this summer after a conservation project received a £93,300 grant to continue.

The Wild Banbury project was launched last year to give a makeover to Spiceball Park and the River Cherwell which runs alongside.

Now, thanks to new funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, community groups and local people are being invited to come down to the park this summer and learn new conservation skills.

The project is being run by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).

The trust's director of conservation and education for Oxfordshire, Neil Clennell, said: "Spiceball Park is a well-used amenity but until we started work last autumn the river was almost hidden from people walking and cycling.

"Improving the wildlife habitats through Spiceball Park is increasing the river's biodiversity, and many more people are watching wildlife from the riverside walk."

The second phase of the project will include people learning skills such as scything, as well as creating new habitats for wildlife by digging out ponds, clearing scrub and planting wild flowers.

The project has also been funded by £64,000 from Banbury Town Council, £4,000 from Cherwell District Council and £27,295 from waste management firm Grundon.

The first phase of Wild Banbury, funded through a £31,000 grant by the Environment Agency, started at the end of last year.

Work included "electrofishing" on the river, clearing away vegetation and trees overshadowing the river, and creating and planting up shallow river banks.

Over the past 18 months volunteers have been re-landscaping the River Cherwell.

This has involved putting in new banks planted with native wild flowers, bridges and benches so more people can walk by the river.

Banbury Town Councillor for Calthorpe South ward Colin Clarke said: "The town council is delighted with the progress so far in Spiceball Park with the opening up of the banks of the River Cherwell.

"We look forward to continuing this exciting project and greatly appreciate all the hard work and effort by all concerned."

Banbury Museum will also be providing historical stories about the site as part of the project, and are holding activity days and reminiscence walks allowing people to find out more about wildlife.

Education manager Suzi Wild said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to delve deeper into the inspiring stories of Banbury, connecting the town's history to its natural history."

Speaking about the funding received, BBOWT project manager Judith Hartley added: "It is great to see so many partners coming forward to support this initiative."