A new £1.78m community woodland has been unveiled by the Forestry Commission in Southport, Lancashire, which has transformed two former landfill sites as part of the wider Newlands partnership.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) provided funding towards the scheme as part of the Newlands initiative, which was set up in order to regenerate the region's disused landfill sites. A new viewing platform overlooking the West Pennine Moors, Southport Mosses and Blackpool Tower has been created as part of the 26-hectare (64-acre) woodland. It is anticipated that a cycle trail, a mountain bike skills course and new wildlife habitats will also be created.

The Forestry Commission's Tim Oliver, the Newlands programme manager, said: "The Town Lane project is really important to the ongoing regeneration of Southport and the surrounding area, providing a wide range of social, environmental and economic benefits. "The regeneration of the site will help turn the area into a greener, cleaner and more attractive space for local people to play, live and work. It will also help reinforce Southport's official Cycle Town status."