AN astonishingly detailed "labour of love" by an environmental student was expected to be the most powerful weapon in saving St John's Wood.

It didn't. But campaigners are convinced that Antony Wainwright's three-year record of everything that has flapped a wing or reached up for the sunlight around Rumworth will help them in their fight to save further erosion of the wildlife haven.

Antony, 28, of Halliwell, is studying for an environmental degree at Bolton Institute and became so hooked on the varying flora and fauna of Rumworth that he was visiting the place five days a week before he started full time studies.

Three years ago he started recording everything he saw and his records are now housed in three voluminous files.

They played a major part at the public inquiry which led to John Prescott throwing out plans for a golf course at Rumworth in 1999.

Antony believes, however, that his records failed to sway councillors this time because he was unable to convince them that the small wood -- "I call it a copse" -- was vital to the overall picture. "But it is." he said. "Rumworth is in a great position because, for birds migrating south down the valley in autumn the lodge is the last green area before they hit the urban sprawl. "Because of the reservoir and the diverse habitats in the neighbourhood it is an important ornithological site, if not THE most important site in Bolton."