A NEW urban wildlife project in Oxford is being planned for 2019, after receiving nearly £40,000 worth of lottery funding.

The first of phase of 'Naturehood' will focus on reversing wildlife decline in the area through empowering people to use their own gardens to benefit wildlife.

Green spaces within the Marston and Florence Park area will be the project's initial focus, amid hopes that communities can learn new techniques together.

Earthwatch Europe, who will organise the scheme and supplement the lottery grant, hope to 'develop a thriving network of wildlife-rich green spaces that benefit both people and nature'.

The organisation cite a 2016 report suggesting that more than half of all UK species have declined in number in less than 50 years and say gardens nationwide could create a 430,000 hectare wildlife haven if turned into nature-friendly places.

It adds that nature provides a host of benefits, from the pollination of food crops and flood risk reduction to improving health and well-being, and 'bridging the disconnect' between people and nature.

Chief Executive Steve Gray said: “We are thrilled to have received this support [and] are confident that Naturehood will have a positive impact on local communities by enabling them to connect with, and take action for, their natural heritage.”