THE Bolton group of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which recently pumped £14,000 into a reedbed extension at the RSPB's Leighton Moss Reserve, near Silverdale, has set itself a new target.

The group will be raising funds to boost the RSPB's work along the nearest coastline to Bolton.

Members have earmarked money they raise to help the RSPB to improve its Ribble Discovery Centre -- visited by thousands of children each year -- next to Fairhaven Lake, Lytham.

Group leader Peter Young said: "The centre is very popular and is visited by a lot of Bolton area children every year.

"We hope to make a big contribution towards the improvements because it is vital that we get local children interested in birds and the environment from a young age."

The RSPB also plans to employ an extra project officer who will work at the centre and also with visitors to Southport's recently-restored pier.