LOCAL nature charity Wildlife Friendly Otley is celebrating its fifith anniversary.

The charity, which is run by local volunteers, was set up with the aim to make Otley the first 'wildlife friendly town' in the UK.

Its purpose is to protect and help local wildlife by encouraging and educating people and organisations to be more wildlife friendly.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "What started with three people and the simple idea to make Otley Britain’s first wildlife friendly town has since become an established charity in the town. A social event is being held on Saturday August 26th to mark this anniversary.

"Wildlife Friendly Otley has achieved so much in such a short amount of time thanks to the hard work of its trustees, members and volunteers. It has had many notable achievements including:

• Membership of over 250 plus hundreds of followers on social media.

• An education programme of wildlife projects in local schools in Otley and Pool.

• Campaigns to promote wildlife friendly practices around the town, protect birds and important wildlife habitats.

• The very first wildlife arts festival, now in its third year.

• Became a registered charity raising thousands of pounds for wildlife.

• Attracted the nationally known conservationist and environmentalist, George McGavin as its first patron.

• Established a nature restoration programme for Otley with the Town Council to help tackle the biodiversity crisis."

Commenting on its achievements, River Six, one of the original co-founders added: "Three of us were passionately concerned about the catastrophic decline in nature and our wildlife and wanted to see if we could start a campaign at a local community level to make a difference. The idea of Otley becoming the UK’s first wildlife friendly town has attracted a lot of support.

“We would like to thank the hundreds of Otley people and organisations who have responded positively and supported us, including volunteers, local businesses, churches other community groups, landowners and Otley Town Council and our Leeds City councillors."

Members and volunteers are invited to a social event upstairs at the Horse & Farrier on Bridge Street on Saturday, August 26 from 7.30pm to celebrate the birthday, meet the trustees and hear more about the group’s programmes.