A NEW group has been set up in the Colne Valley to protect Slaithwaite's spa area.

Friends of Slaithwaite Spa has been formed by a group of volunteers, with the help of River Colne project officer Mick Smith, of the Colne Valley Trust.

The group wants to preserve the area of land between Slaithwaite and Linthwaite known as Spa View and Spa Fields on the site of the former spa facility that existed in Slaithwaite years ago.

Friends of Slaithwaite Spa want to see the land developed to encourage wildlife and to allow the community to enjoy it.

Some suggestions have included improving footpaths at the site and creating bird and bat boxes.

If you have any ideas on how to improve the area, the group wants to hear about them at its first meeting.

The meeting will take place at Providence Baptist Church, Hollins Row, Linthwaite, on Thursday at 7pm.