A COMMUNITY park named in honour of long-standing former county councillor Ron Carey will be officially opened today (Wednesday).

The former Witton landfill site in Northwich has been transformed into a nature haven and community woodland following a seven-year reclamation project by Cheshire County Council.

Its name, Carey Park, is in recognition of the former county, borough and town councillor's key involvement in bringing about the regeneration of the site.

Mr Carey, who represented Northwich East on the county council for 31 years, is a former county council chairman and vice-chairman and was made an honorary alderman in 2001.

He said: 'I am delighted and proud that our long-standing vision to transform this former landfill site into a park has been realised.

'This is an excellent example of how blighted land can be reclaimed for the benefit of generations to come.

'It is particularly pleasing to see this new addition to the community woodlands alongside the neighbouring Anderton Nature Park and Marbury Park.

'I feel truly honoured that this wonderful community facility bears my name.'

The park's nature conservation area has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Rare calcareous grasses established on lime waste provide a habitat for butterflies, invertebrates and birds.

They also support the rare fragrant orchid, and flowers and grasses such as the ox-eye daisy and knapweed.

More than 10 acres of woodland has been planted at the park and an agricultural tenancy has been incorporated whereby cattle and sheep can graze within the natural environment.

The county council's executive environment member Andrew Needham said: 'During the last 12 years Cheshire County Council has sown the seeds of regeneration of more than 300 acres of blighted land in the Northwich area.

'Carey Park represents yet another success in this ongoing project to protect the nature conservation importance of these sites and improve their appearance and recreational opportunities.'

Visitors enter through two ornate gates designed to reflect two of the insects found in the park - the Dingy Skipper butterfly in Marbury Lane and the ladybird in Leicester Street.

The park also has a viewing point with a toposcope - a stainless steel plate showing points of interest such as Cloud Mountain in the Pennines.

The regeneration project has been largely funded by the county council, while The Mersey Forest, with funding from Winnington 106, contributed more than £16,000 towards the cost of a wheelchair-access ramp at the Leicester Street entrance.

Paul Nolan, director of The Mersey Forest, said: 'It is great to be part of such an exciting new facility.

'It just shows that when organisations work well together, real benefits can be achieved for local communities and the environment.'

Cheshire County Council chairwoman Nora Dolphin will open Carey Park.