A NEW gate has been installed to help improve access in woodlands near Stourport.

Burlish Bike Park, which opened in July 2023, has installed a new accessible link between the Burlish Crossing, Windermere Way area and Burlish Meadows nature reserve.

With the help of volunteers and a £1000 grant from the Stay Connected Community Fund run by Worcestershire County Council Public Health team, they have replaced an "awkward" and old-fashioned style with a brand new kissing gate.

Bike park director Hannah Escott said: “Local neighbours have always cut through the woodland to visit the Meadows but the style required gymnastic athleticism to cross, limiting access for so many people.

"It’s a real pleasure to see more of our neighbours enjoying this fantastic landscape and scenery.”

Burlish Bike Park has a charity-run café and toilet block which walkers and passers-by are welcome to visit.

The café was recently awarded a five-star food hygiene rating on its very first inspection.

The Burlish Bike Park is preparing several events to raise funds for a publicly available defibrillator.

The events include a Father’s Day event on June 16, a family fun day with a bike fancy dress parade on June 23, and one-year birthday celebrations on July 6.