The Harrogate district is to be declared a wildlife haven in a bid to foster greater biodiversity.

Coun Don Mackenzie, the leader of Harrogate Borough Council, and Coun Caroline Bayliss, its cabinet member for cultural services, will sign the declaration on Friday.

It says: “We understand the increasing impact that biodiversity decline is having on our communities and we commit to tackling the cause and effects of this decline in our local area.

Through the declaration we are committing to consider enhancing biodiversity in our decision-making and wherever possible make sure that our parks, gardens and land is managed in a way which is sympathetic to wildlife.

“We will also, through our corporate planning, supply relevant information on the progress of our actions to increase and enhance biodiversity within our district.”