A rangers group is seeking to branch out in Bury by attracting a clutch of new volunteers.

Raffaele Tuccillo, the newly appointed chairman of the Bury Volunteer Ranger Service (BVRS), is eager for its environmental work to flourish, particularly in the wake of council cutbacks.

An event was held in Nuttall Park, Ramsbottom last Thursday, where helpers constructed raised planting beds and topped up vegetable plots.

Mr Tuccillo has been a ranger for 29 years, and has been a volunteer for BVRS for three years.

The group was set up in April, 2011, having been originally part of the Greater Manchester Council as a warden service, then part of the Croal Irwell Valley partnership formed between the councils of Bolton, Bury and Salford.

BVRS has 52 volunteers but is on the lookout for more.

Mr Tuccillo, who lives in Radcliffe, said: “I want to tell as many people as possible about the good and valuable work that the volunteers do. It’s absolutely vital that we keep this service available to the community.

“I was extremely impressed with everybody at Nuttall Park, the event was very successful.”

The group created a wildlife habitat, logs for people to take away, and an area for the plantation of new trees.

Pupils from Woodhey High School in Ramsbottom are also going to plant small trees in the park.

This has been made possible despite Bury Council Ranger staff redundancies, which has seen the number of park rangers fall from eight to three.

Mr Tuccillo added: “We’re committed to improving, conserving and promoting the parks, countryside and greenspaces of Bury for the enjoyment, benefit and wellbeing of all users.”