A MAGIC triangle of grassland just off the East Lancashire Road at St Helens has been chosen as Merseyside’s Coronation Meadow.

Last year HRH the Prince of Wales launched the Coronation Meadows project as part of the celebrations marking the anniversary of the Queen’s coronation.

Every county in the UK will have such a meadow, chosen for their outstanding, flower-rich grasslands.

Stanley Bank Meadow is owned by St Helens Council and bordered by Carr Mill, Blackbrook and Haydock. It is the only Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in St Helens.

Natural England, the government’s statutory adviser on the natural environment, regularly visit the meadow to check that the council is managing the site correctly.

To help mark the successful Coronation Meadow application, rangers will be re-planting a hedgerow along the edge of the site with 300 trees donated by Mersey Forest.

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Neighbourhoods, Councillor Seve Gomez Aspron said: “This is a tremendous achievement – and a tribute to our Ranger Service, which has worked hard over the last 12 years to clear the meadow of unwanted plant species and prevent it re-colonising the area.

“Across Merseyside there are 14 SSSIs, but Stanley Bank is the only one in St Helens. So we’re delighted that the work we’ve put in has been recognised by the Coronation Meadows project.”