A WREXHAM estate could be transformed into a haven for wildlife if a community gets behind a potential environmental project.

Members of Caia Park Community Council received a presentation from Wrexham Council's ecology and biodiversity officer Emma Broad at their meeting, to discuss the promotion of pollinators on the estate.

It is hoped empty green space can be transformed with wildflowers and wildlife to improve the environment with funding support from the Welsh Government with research showing people living in places with good wildlife were often healthier, less overweight and lived longer.

Speaking to members, Ms Broad said: "Last January I was successful in applying to the Welsh Government to get some money to start a green infrastructure mapping project, and a map is being made plotting all the areas in the county which are protected, which we know are important to wildlife, all ancient woodlands and green spaces - and are assigning things a value.

"The idea of the map is to go down a similar route to Cheshire, using green spaces in urban areas to get people more active and involved - as often being out in natural environments can increase physical activity and mental wellbeing."

Ms Broad said she was looking for support from the community to run such projects in Caia Park, adding that its potential for wildflower planting was shown by the wildflower verges on Cefn Road.

She said: "I'm looking for ideas, such as raised planting beds, and a group of men from the prison have been offered to help in making things.

"There is the land on Cefn Road, adjacent to the river at Queensway and I would like to look at planting wildflower banks there,eye-catching blues, reds, and yellows, and reduce some of the mowing but keeping the edges neat."

Ms Broad also suggested a cornflour mix on the Kingsley Circle roundabout and open land in Moorland Avenue being another potential location for transformation.

Wynnstay Councillor Malcolm King, whose ward Moorland Avenue is in, said his only reservation was that this land is used as "a meeting place for drug dealers", and is the "most heavily needled" place in the ward, adding his concerns about needles being hidden if the grass was longer.

But he added that the area was "crying out" for such a project.

Queensway Cllr Brian Halley said: "The potential in Caia Park is tremendous.

"It's got a reputation but people are often amazed at the amount of green and open space we have here. We have got a river running through it, big fields, the Dunks, the Pigeon House field, the Bala Road field, and bringing in wildlife would really enhance the place."

Cllr King added: "It's a fantastic opportunity for residents of all ages.

"People want to improve their environment and if it is looked after, rather than neglected and people live in a nicer place, they will be more reluctant to litter it."

Fellow Wynnstay Cllr Linda Platt added that youth groups would be keen to get involved and that a successful project could "get Caia Park on the map".

Members agreed to support Ms Broad's bid and to come up with ideas for each ward, with public consultations set to take place in October or November