SOME of the most important sites within the Tamar Valley area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) have achieved top marks in a survey, the results of which were published last week.

The survey revealed that 93% of the sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) within the valley are in favourable condition, reinforcing the belief that the area is truly outstanding in its natural beauty.

Tim Selman, manager of the Tamar Valley Service, said: ?This is another reflection of the outstanding quality of the Tamar Valley, and of the need for its careful stewardship.

The more work we do, the more it becomes apparent that both inside and outside SSIs across the valley, the Tamar is a fantastic resource for wildlife.?

SSIs are identified and protected by English Nature to safeguard the diversity and geographic range of habitats, species and geological features.

Many are internationally important and play a significant part in local culture or economies, in addition to providing opportunities for people to enjoy the wildlife and landscape.

SSIs within the Tamar Valley AONB include the Tamar-Tavy estuary with its flocks of wintering avocets and a variety of geological sites.

Features examined during the survey included structure of woodland, level of browsing by deer and percentage of rhododendron within the shrub layer, amongst many others.

Targets set by DEFRA state that 95% of SSIs in England should be ?favourable? or ?unfavourable but recovering? by 2010.

James Diamond, conservation officer for English Nature, said: ?The condition of SSIs in the AONB is significantly better than in the rest of Devon and Cornwall, demonstrating the key role land managers, in partnership with English Nature and the AONB Service, play in safeguarding this very special landscape and its wildlife.?