Work on a nature trail in Horndean is complete and there will be a special launch event in May to celebrate.

Catherington Lith is a walk that takes people through the Nature Reserve and has had some new additions and work done on the path thanks to funding from East Hampshire District Council and Defra.

It is part of the village’s Green Trail and Heritage Network, aiming to highlight recreational routes, promote walking and cycling, and to connect people with heritage and nature within the parish and beyond.

The official launch event will be on Friday, May 23 at 11am.

Andrew Redding, parish councillor for Downs Ward said: “We already had some tree sculptures and had this idea to make it a sculpture trail and aim this one at younger children to make it an adventure.

“We also realised when we started that because we wanted to make it accessible to people, perhaps with children and pushchairs, that quite a big portion of the footpath was not really usable.

“So we upgraded the footpath to make that accessible to pushchairs and got four new boards, two are activity and adventure related, and the other two are educational.”

The sculptures were done by chainsaw sculptor Michael Jones.

Boards include activities such as trying to find and discover different species that live in the reserve.

However, the Parish Council would like to remind dog walkers to be responsible, as there have been an increase in dogs off leads and dog fouling.

Canines should only be off lead if they can be instantly recalled, to help ensure that the trail isn’t spoiled for residents and visitors.

The Bluebells are currently out in all their glory so the Council are encouraging everyone to make the most of the trail.

To find out more about Horndean’s green spaces, visit https://tinyurl.com/Horndean-conservation-areas.