A LARGE area of lowland heath in the Vale of York is to be restored thanks to a £347,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The award is part of the nationwide initiative Tomorrow's Heathland Heritage, run jointly by the HLF and English Nature.

Commons in Strensall, Skipwith, Allerthorpe, South Cliffe and Cali Heath will be safeguarded as a result, said Liz Forgan, HLF chairwoman.

Four of the sites have been designated as SSSIs - Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

"Their importance cannot be overestimated and experts have confirmed that as natural habitats, all five are of both national and regional significance," said Ms Forgan.

Skipwith Common is said to support up to one third of the butterfly and larger moth species found in the UK.

Ms Forgan said Britain's heathlands have been in crisis for more than 50 years, adding: "Steadily dwindling with only small, isolated fragments left, these areas of natural beauty, which are home to many of our rarest plants and wildlife, have become vulnerable to an advancing tide of agriculture, forestry, built development and unmanaged scrub."

The five-year Vale of York programme will involve restoring remaining heathland, recreating it on sites where it used to grow, and promoting greater public enjoyment of the heaths.

"Our lowland heathlands have been in dire straits for many years but are now being rescued and nurtured. The restoration and protection of these centuries-old landscapes is a significant Lottery achievement and ensures that they remain open and accessible for everyone's enjoyment," said Ms Forgan