One man and some friends are trying to put the wild life back into urban Carlisle.
Getting back to the land a HGV driver is trying to bring more wildlife to Currock, the group have been digging and panting for 5 years to try and create a little sanctuary in the housing estate.
Not a green finger between them, the group have been learning as they go, but the have noticed a distinct lack of wildlife and are now making it their mission to bring some wildlife back.
After suffering a heart attack 10-years-ago David Milner, 59, needed to make some changes to his life and the allotment was just that, he said: "Its freedom, its escapism away from city life and its a bit of nature that we're lacking, its defiantly what we need, more nature. We need to get the animals back in, it doesn't matter if it just a little back garden it just need that extra boost. I mean I love this place."
Its not only the food that is gown that is important its what else the place offers the group David continued: "We rescued a little hedgehog and thought the perfect place for him would be in the allotment it would keep him away from the road so, we built him a little hut, because we've got to help wildlife it's so important to help it.
"We've also noticed that the ordinary earthworm is missing so, when we're digging the allotment there is no earthworm. We are now trying to encourage more worms and they help look after the soil."
To do this they have been using mounds of cow muck and restricting the use of chemical so they can be as organic as possible he added: "We have flowers everywhere to help the bees pollinate which will increase the crop which will create this circle of life."
David Harpley, conservation manager at Cumbria wildlife trust said: "Without worms there are no people. We need the worms to move the soil and put oxygen in it and if you want to feed people you need worms.This is the same for hedgehogs without them eating the likes of slugs the crops sill suffer"
He continued:
"The problem is, the insect population is in decline, which effects the worms and its everyday chemicals that are harming them. When animals are treated for worms this can be transferred to the ground through excrement. Its so important that you try to be as organic as possible check the drainage of the soil and that the ph is correct."
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