Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury supports granting special status to Cheshire Sandstone Ridge to encourage people to enjoy our beautiful countryside while boosting the local economy.

Natural England proposes including the ridge in a select group of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty likely to be known as 'National Landscapes' in future.

This would give the area extra protection from development but also encourage people to enjoy the outdoors and nature, with benefits for their mental and physical wellbeing.

Mr Amesbury said: "I sometimes walk on part of the Sandstone Trail to enjoy the beautiful Cheshire countryside. It's a garden on people's doorsteps.

"This designation would strengthen its status as a protected natural site and allow us to celebrate one of our gems."

The MP added: "A positive spin-off is the benefit to the visitor economy. Tourism attractions, hotels, shops, pubs and restaurants have all been devastated by the impact of Covid.

"Here is an opportunity to give a boost to the hospitality sector but I agree with the report at the back of this proposal that we need to find more sustainable ways of accessing National Landscapes with the emphasis on improved public transport, cycling and walking."

The Sandstone Ridge runs for 30 km between Frodsham and Helsby in the north to Malpas in the south, covering around 220 sq km, or 10 per cent of the old county of Cheshire. On a clear day, you can see eight different counties and enjoy panoramic 360-degree views across the Cheshire Plain.

Plans also include a renewed drive to support nature recovery within protected landscapes, working hand in hand with local authorities and the teams operating National Parks and AONBs, as well as efforts to enable a more diverse range of people to benefit from access to England's most famous natural landscapes.

Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, said: "Today's announcement signals an ambitious step forward in growing our family of precious national landscapes, as well as protecting and improving the ones we have.

"One thing that has become very apparent recently, and especially during the pandemic, is the enormous benefit people get from having access to beautiful nature-rich landscapes."