A RESTORATION project which aims to bring back 12 missing species to the Cumbria ecosystem are ready to submit a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the next stage.

South Cumbria Species Restoration: Back On Our Map is a project run by the University of Cumbria.

Nearly 500 people took part in a series of talks aimed at highlighting the possible reintroduction of species to South Cumbria.

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, eighty roadshows were staged across the summer at venues as diverse as Barnardo’s Children’s Centres and prisoner families at HMP Haverigg.

Professor Ian Convery, who led the initiative said the project is ready for the next stage

He said: “We were delighted at the response to a range of activities we produced, we made changes following feedback, and embeded working relationships with other agencies.

"We have developed our project accordingly and now we are ready to submit a bid to deliver the project."

An online survey reached 218 respondents while project staff visited other projects and reintroduction sites to discuss the project development and consult extensively with agencies, charities and private organisations.

Prof Convery said the vision is for a biologically richer south Cumbria championed by communities and working with a range of diverse partners including Haverigg Prison, Barrow train station,schools and colleges.

The document will be submitted early in the New Year and Prof Convery said the project is vital for protecting species.

He said: "The whole project is massive for south Cumbria and the UK. The country as a whole is one of the most deprived in the world for the decline in species with a56 per cent decline.

"Therefore it is vitally important that people get behind projects to protect wildlife and the environment.

"The response to the South Cumbria Restoration project has been very positive, communities and people from all over the patch have been involved with various events to raise the profile and help towards the next step of our aim."