The organisers of a project to create an unspoilt mini Eden were left disappointed after they narrowly missed out on a bid for £50,000 of National Lottery cash.

The organisers of a project to create an unspoilt mini Eden were left disappointed after they narrowly missed out on a bid for £50,000 of National Lottery cash.

But there was cause for celebration yesterday after it emerged that a local charity had come forward to offer the residents of Bracon Ash £30,000 to complete the project to rescue and regenerate a lost area of wooded common, restoring it into a “paradise regained” for children, families, older people and people with disabilities.

Residents of the south Norfolk village were left disappointed last month after they lost out to Horning Sailing Club in a bid for Lottery cash which saw both projects featured on Anglia Tonight.

But Colin Rudd, chairman of Bracon Ash and Hethel Parish Council, said that organisers were overjoyed after learning that the Geoffrey Watling Charity had stepped in to offer funds of £30,000.

“We are absolutely delighted about this because it means we will be able to meet our schedule to get the work done during the winter months, so that everybody can benefit in the summer,” he said.

“The project will go ahead exactly as planned thanks to this funding. It is great news for the local community.

“We have two local schools that have been very supportive of the scheme and it will provide somewhere for children to learn about the natural environment.

“It is also the last wooded part of the Tas Valley Walk and with the glades that we are going to create it will be really lovely.”

Mr Rudd said that work would start on the parish council-led project in January and that organisers hope to finish planting a wildflower section by the end of March.

The scheme will involve clearing undergrowth to create glades, upgrading footpaths, establishing wildflower sections and improving and increasing wildlife habitats.

“It is quite an achievement for a little parish,” Mr Rudd said. “We are delighted that the Geoffrey Watling Charity has offered us this money and has moved so promptly so that we can meet our timescale. They have been really helpful. This funding has proved a lifeline.”