CALLS have been made to plough some money and tender loving care into a neglected Bournemouth nature reserve.

Millhams Mead is situated just north of Kinson and is nestled between Ringwood Road and the Millhams tip, close to St Andrew’s Church.

Ward councilor Dennis Gritt said the mead, which once boasted a green flag award, has become neglected.

It consists of grassland, scrub, plantation, mature woodland a stretch of the River Stour and a tributary stream, the Leaden Stour.

He told the Echo: “The stream which was bubbling away has stopped bubbling.

“It is a horrible orange colour and is pretty overgrown.

“There is no movement at all and the stream is almost stagnant.”

Cllr Gritt said part of the reserve has become a dumping ground for children’s slides, a supermarket trolley and other items.

“It doesn’t look very healthy. I am trying to get the Friends of Millhams Mead resurrected and join up with the countryside team to carry out a winter clean-up programme.

“It needs a bit of pride and a bit of TLC.

“It’s a great pity because it’s part of Bournemouth’s heritage.”

Cllr Gritt also believes a cycle route could be added to the reserve to attract more visitors going from Kinson village to Longham Bridge.

“It would be lovely to see it turned into an area we can be proud of and get back that Green Flag.”

Mark Holloway, Countryside Operations Manager, said: “We are currently in the process of planning broad improvements to the Millhams Mead Nature Reserve. We are in discussions with the Environment Agency on also improving the stream and its surroundings.

“In the meantime the Council’s countryside team have an Autumn and Winter schedule planed to remove rubbish and some trees that are blocking the stream. In addition there will be some tree planting and some coppicing carried out in the woodland, for the benefit of wildlife and public alike.”

Any resident wishing to volunteer to help the countryside team with their winter programme should contact her via email at kate.wilkinson@bournemouth.gov.uk.