IT may have been pouring down but Upton and Poole residents' new boardwalk will at least keep their feet dry.

The official opening of the new boardwalk linking Lytchett Bay View in Upton to playing fields at Hamworthy took place in pouring rain but this did not prevent a good turnout.

Lytchett Bay is a 9.6 acre open amenity space off Sandy Lane, Upton, which is well used by dog walkers and bird watchers and is rich in bird and plant life.

The project, funded by £16,047 from Viridor Credits, a £1,500 Wessex Water Watermark Award and £2,000 from a private donor, enabled Lytchett Minster and Upton Town Council to fund the 26metre boardwalk.

Funding has also allowed willows to be coppiced to encourage greater diversity of wildlife.

This project follows on from the first boardwalk installed a few years ago and now a circular walk has been created across the reedbeds of Lytchett Bay via the Turlin Moor playing fields and back through Chad's Copse across the first boardwalk.

The ribbon was cut by Ben Howard, 15, from Upton, a youth advisor for Lytchett Minster and Upton Town Council, who officially opened the boardwalk at the Upton side.

And the honours were performed on the Poole side by natural habitats officer Terry Elborn, representing Borough of Poole.

"It's good to see how neighbouring authorities can bring about these benefits for wider communities as well as the environment," said Mr Elborn.

Despite the rain the event was attended by councillors, local residents and a representative from Dorset Wildlife Trust's Great Heath Team.

Lytchett Minster and Upton Town mayor Cllr June Richards said: "It's a great addition to our town and we are grateful to all our partners and funders for their support in bringing this project to fruition."