SPARROWS are getting a helping hand in time for spring.

Around 100 tiny tree sparrows who live at a site near Jay House Lane in Clifton are believed to be the last remaining colony of tree sparrows in Calderdale.

They thrive in their favourite natural habitat – hedges.

So thanks to a funding boost of £6,323 more than 500 metres of scrub and tree saplings and 50 metres of new hedgerow is being planted for the tree sparrows.

It will help establish the future of the colony in Calderdale.

Hugh Firman, conservation officer for Calderdale, said residents and farmers had been helping to look after the birds by providing the right sort of habitat and food.

He said: “The Calderdale Countryside Service and the Calderdale Bird Conservation would like to sincerely thank the local farmers and homeowners for their continued co-operation and support.

“Without their permission the project could not have gone ahead.”

Mary Seaton, Calderdale’s countryside and woodland manager, added: “The residents have been feeding the tree sparrows and providing nest boxes.

“The tree sparrows congregate and Jay House Lane is the only place we know they can be found.

“We’d love to hear from people if they are elsewhere and we’d love to be proven wrong, but because of changes in agriculture and habitat they tend to all stay together.”