TWO West Devon nature reserves may be given Royal protection after having been nominated by the borough council to be protected as 'Queen Elizabeth II Fields' (QE II Fields).

The new national campaign was launched in October by Fields in Trust to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next year.

The landmark scheme aims to protect important green spaces in communities as a legacy of the jubilee.

West Devon Borough Council has nominated Tavistock Viaduct Walk Local Nature Reserve in Tavistock and Old Town Park Local Nature Reserve in Okehampton, following requests from community groups and ward members.

Local authorities and major landowners across the country have been invited to nominate local sites to become protected for recreational and community use as QE II Fields. Two other West Devon sites have been nominated for the challenge: Lifton Recreation Field in Lifton and Simmons Park in Okehampton.

Cllr Robert Oxborough, chair of the borough council's environment and community committee, said: 'West Devon Borough Council recognises the importance of our Local Nature Reserves to our local communities.

'As well as being important wildlife habitats, they offer local people the opportunity to access green space for recreation and relaxation as they are within such easy reach of the Okehampton and Tavistock town centres.

'We're urging all local residents and community groups to get involved with this scheme by going on the website and registering their interest.'