Celebrate the wildlife of Withdean Woods - before cheering on the Albion!

Albion supporters are being invited to get back to nature at a family fun morning, prior to the team's last game at Withdean Stadium.

The event is being held at Brighton & Hove City Council's Withdean Woods Local Nature Reserve which flanks two sides of the stadium, from 10.30am to 1pm on Saturday April 30. Entrance to the woods is from Withdean Road.

Families can enjoy a new nature trail, find out more about the wildlife in the woods, and take part in a children's quiz - before going on to cheer the Albion. There's even some blue and white planting, parks staff hope bluebells and white 'Star of Bethlehem' will be blooming on the day in the team's colours!

The event is being organised by the city council's Cityparks team which, during the winter worked with the local 'friends' group, The Withdean Westdene Woods and Eldred Avenue Copse Keepers, and volunteers to repair paths and create the new nature trail.

Frances Chambers, from the city council's parks team, said: "Withdean Woods have provided a backdrop over the years for all the Albion's games at the Withdean Stadium, and the stadium has been called the 'theatre of trees' by some fans.

"This will be a chance for people to celebrate spring and the local wildlife, before going on to celebrate the Albion's promotion! We hope the event will also encourage more people to enjoy the woods at other times as well."

Withdean Woods Local Nature reserve is a cluster of small mature woodlands along the London to Brighton railway line from Preston Park station north to Coney Hill. The woodlands support a rich variety birds, including spotted woodpeckers, tree creepers, and wrens and trees, including beech, yew and holly.

For further information about the nature reserve: http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1179481