DORSET Wildlife Trust's Heathland Heritage Traineeship programme has been given a boost with a donation from a parish council.

Winfrith Newburgh & East Knighton (WN&EK) Parish Council has granted more than £15,000 to help the scheme. This funding - along with money from the Magnox Ltd Socio-economic Scheme - will allow the trust to train up two local individuals with skills for the countryside sector.

Leo Henley-Lock, Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Reserves Manager for South & East Dorset, said: "We are extremely grateful for the donation from the Parish Council. Whilst offering two young individuals a first step to a career in the countryside sector, the traineeships will help to play a crucial role in maintaining these important sites for the local people and visitors. We hope that this project will leave a lasting legacy for both the local community and the young trainees."

The funding was originally set aside by the council as part of a 'fighting fund' in the early 1960s - it was intended as part of an effort to protect Winfrith Heath from plans to construct a nuclear reactor.

Since then, the money has been waiting on a project to help Winfrith Heath.

To find out about DWT opportunities, visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/jobs