THE dedicated voluntary work of a Redditch man has been recognised upon his retirement as chairman of a nature reserve in Rowney Green.

For the last 15 years, Howard Potter, 78, has been chairman of the Peck Wood Centre committee, which cares for the wood, which is between the Alvechurch bypass and Rowney Green.

The 20-acre beauty spot is a popular destination for Redditch and Birmingham schoolchildren studying nature.

The land was put into trust by the Methodist Church in 1948 and it was through the church that Mr Potter, of Vicarage Crescent, Southcrest, became involved.

Mr Potter, who retired from Redditch engineering firm Hymatic in 1990, said: "I've had a wonderful time as chairman at Peck Wood. It's a real joy to see the faces of the kids who visit."

Mr Potter was presented with a wooden arbour by the committee for his good work.