Lyme Regis' hedgerow awareness and surveying project has been hailed as a success.

The project has engaged with schools, community groups and residents.

Run by Lyme Regis-based environmental education organisation, Little Green Change and Dorset Climate Action Network (Dorset CAN), as part of Dorset CAN's Great Big Dorset Hedge project.

The project, funded by Lyme Regis Town Council, featured community hedgerow surveying sessions in May.

The programme extended into educational institutions such as St Michael’s CE VA Primary School and The Woodroffe School as well as the 1st Lym Valley Cubs.

These specially arranged sessions integrated learning and hands-on experience where 37 children below the age of 16 learnt how to identify a healthy hedgerow species, how to recognise common hedgerow plant species, and the species that count upon this habitat.

Among The Woodroffe School attendees were students like Amber, who said: "(I learnt) that hedgerows can help climate change and soil erosion.

"It was fun and I enjoyed measuring the width and length (of the hedgerow) and finding insects and animals."

Aliana of 1st Lym Valley Cub, said: "(I learnt) that hedgerows can help climate change and soil erosion.

"It was fun and I enjoyed measuring the width and length (of the hedgerow) and finding insects and animals."

The community's feedback was overwhelmingly positive about the project.

Angela, a resident, said: "Understanding how to grade hedges, identify plants and trees, and what’s needed to encourage wildlife.

"Very enjoyable.

"I would be happy to do it again and for longer."

Clare Matheson, founder and director of Little Green Change, said: "It’s been wonderful working with Dorset Climate Action Network (Dorset CAN) on this project.

"A huge thank you to them, and to Lyme Regis Town Council and the members of the Town Council’s Environment Committee for funding this valuable education project, thereby recognising the importance of hedgerows as vital wildlife habitats and food sources, as well as their benefits in relation to natural flood mitigation and air quality improvement."

One of the co-founders of Dorset CAN's Great Big Dorset Hedge project, Julie Leah, said: "This initiative brings all of the benefits of the Great Big Dorset Hedge project to Lyme Regis and its community, and in particular its young people, engaging with them to understand the importance of hedgerows and potentially bring more hedgerows into the urban landscape. "

Hedgerow conservation is pivotal, not just in the countryside but also in towns and cities.

They serve as nesting habitats, food sources and pathways of safe travel for various small mammals, birds and insects.

It is hoped that this successful project in Lyme Regis could potentially be an inspiration and serve as guidance to similar projects across Dorset.