A wildlife corridor that runs around Worcester has had its official launch.

Wild about Worcester Way is a 12-mile way-marked route that encircles the city, designed to help residents access natural spaces.

Worcester Environmental Group (WEG), which is behind the project, held a grand opening at Worcester Woods Country Park on Saturday (May 13) followed by a guided walk along the route.

Volunteers were joined by Worcester mayor Adrian Gregson and children who had designed posters of native wildlife species.

The posters are being turned into carvings on wooden posts placed along the circular route.

Malvern Gazette: Crowds in the country park for the launch of the routeCrowds in the country park for the launch of the route (Image: NQ)

Zoe Hickman, chairwoman of trustees at WEG, said the occasion was a rare opportunity for volunteers to come together and celebrate the project.

“They’ve all been working so hard but they never get to see each other,” she said. “Not only are we in different parts of the city, we have people making bird and bat boxes, others doing biodiversity work, some doing IT stuff. So it’s nice to get the chance to meet and catch-up.”

Steve Shaw, chairman of the Wild about Worcester Way steering committee, was inspired to write a song about the project and its impact on wildlife in Worcester - and performed it at the ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday.

Cllr Gregson, cutting the ribbon, said: “This is probably going to be one of the last ribbons I get to cut as mayor.

READ MORE: Beautiful carvings placed along new wildlife corridor launching in Worcester

“One of my charities for the year has been Onside Advocacy and a theme that keeps coming up is the importance of getting out and about, enjoying life and enjoying nature.

“It has a huge impact on your physical and mental health and this project is a prime example of this in action.”

Wild about Worcester Way connects 15 green spaces around the city, including Worcester Woods Country Park, Nunnery Wood, County Hall, Red Hill, Battenhall Park, Cherry Orchard Local Nature Reserve, Bromwich Parade, Gheluvelt Park, Perdiswell Park, Worcester & Birmingham Canal, Offerton Lane Local Nature Reserve, Warndon Woodlands Local Nature Reserve and Racefield Meadow.