Native insect and plant life has risen sharply in the Eldon and Barker Street neighbourhoods after several years of work to improve biodiversity, First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has said.

The housing association points to a 400% increase in native species, with four new species of butterflies and bees identified. Native plants on the estates are up by 175%, with three new varieties recorded.

FCHO credits the change to different grass cutting regimes, grass management, and the planting of bulbs, wildflowers and trees.

Since 2024 the association has worked with the National Trust on the award-winning BioBlitz initiative, in which local groups and customers count and record wildlife in areas the housing association has improved. The scheme will now be expanded.

David Wrigley, FCHO's Head of Neighbourhood Care, said: "We cannot believe just how successful our biodiversity work has been over the last few years and these figures show just how important it is to make this effort.

"The BioBlitz we undertook in these neighbourhoods with the support of our customers show conclusively how native plants co-evolved - when given this helping hand - with local insects, birds, and other wildlife to provide food and shelter."

BioBlitz is now running in open spaces across Sholver and Littlemoor, where up to 10 different types of native species and 12 types of native plants have been counted. Another count will take place there next year to confirm the early results.

Chadderton, Holts Village and Coldhurst will join the project in 2027/28. Mr Wrigley said customers were clear they want more trees, wildlife, bulbs and wildflowers, and many support the work by joining a BioBlitz or becoming a Tree Guardian.