THE BIG Ilkley Moor Survey was launched on Saturday as part of a Heritage Lottery funded project.

The Friends of Ilkley Moor held the outdoor celebration and guided walk as part of their Nature for All Project, which has received £50,000 funding from the lottery fund.

Participants were taken on a walk to the lower tarn to take in the beauty of Ilkley Moor while finding out more about the project and how they could get involved.

Local people are being asked to help with the valuable research of recording the biodiversity of Ilkley Moor, including the collation of past biological records. This information will be used by FoIM to look at trends in the decline or increase of species. The group is also looking at ways of mapping the extent of the heathland, the bracken and the peatland habitats, as well as exploring ways to enhance the moor's ecosystem.

People taking part were told the project would also give them the chance to learn skills in carrying out standardised wildlife surveys, wildlife identification and biological recording.

A spokesman said: "More information on how to take part in the Big Ilkley Moor Survey will soon be available on the FoIM website. Look out for the training events in wildlife identification and surveys which form part of this 2017 Events and Learning Programme,which can be obtained from Ilkley Information Office,shops and cafes in the Town.

"Individuals, community groups, organisations, schools, colleges or universities who would like to take part in the project please contact Tracy Gray, Ilkley Moor Project Officer, 07780535860, tracy@ilkleymoor.org and/or attend one of the training events available in this program."