PEOPLE were yesterday invited to find out how English Nature makes decisions on environmental issues.

An open meeting was held at Redworth Hall Hotel, near Shildon, County Durham, to explain how English Nature's national council works to protect the environment.

Before the meeting, the council visited upland sites in Northumberland and Dur-ham, that are being looked after by English Nature, farmers and moorland managers to try to improve conditions for rare plants and birds.

Tony Laws, of English Nature in Northumbria, said the council had visited a scheme on the Hexhamshire moors Site of Special Scientific Interest, which helps graziers reintroduce stock in a way that contributes to the delivery of nature conservation objectives.

Mr Laws said: "In an attempt to bring something positive out of the bleak situation resulting from the effects of foot-and-mouth disease, English Nature, local graziers and local estates are all working together on implementing this Wildlife Enhancement Scheme which will benefit both the graziers and wildlife of the area."