The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has announced it will invest £17.3 million to create 170 hectares of green spaces in Cheshire and Warrington.

Around 20 underused and neglected pieces of brownfield land will be transformed into green and accessible recreation resources and there will be provision for nature conservation.

The investment is part of the 22-year REVIVE programme that aims to improve the quality of life in Cheshire and Warrington. Partners in the scheme include the Cheshire and Warrington Economic Alliance, Groundwork, Community Forests, the Weaver Valley Regional Park and the Land Restoration Trust.

Peter White, NWDA executive director of development, said: "The REVIVE programme will help to tackle the legacy of brownfield land in Cheshire and Warrington, transforming 170 hectares of land across the sub-region in to high-quality, green open spaces."

He went on to say that the project will help create an environment that is attractive to investors.

In fact, the NWDA has identified the need to invest in the image and environment of the region. It believes that neglected land adversely impacts on the northwest image and is a deterrent to investment.