A NEW nature reserve could be assigned near Durham City if Durham County Council agrees.

Members of the executive committee will discuss proposals to turn Pity Me Carrs, to the north of the city, into an eight-hectare nature reserve, at a meeting tomorrow in County Hall.

Pity Me Carrs is a country site, which is considered to be an excellent candidate for the local nature reserve title.

In 1989 the county council joined with Framwellgate Moor Parish Council to manage the site.

The parish council has lent its support to the plans, and is willing to continue to help running the site.

A report to the executive committee by Chris Tunstall, director of environment and technical services, says: "The county council has provided a number of local nature reserves in recent years.

"They have given opportunities to local people to enjoy wildlife, and for children to learn about nature.

"They also provide protection for habitats, species and natural features. They can also enable local people to become directly involved in managing the reserve."

English Nature supported a management plan published for the site last year, and remains supportive of the application.

If Pity Me Carrs is turned into a nature reserve, the county council says it will do its utmost to secure more funding to help run the site.