Matlock-based group Little Green Space is hoping to help more residents transform their un-used gardens into areas with trees, wildflowers and hay meadows, which will become natural habitats for many creatures.

And with just 1.5 square metres of uncut grass producing a year's worth of oxygen for one adult, Little Green Space organisers Richard Bunting and wife Penny hope this work could make a difference to peoples' lives.

The couple have been working on the land at the back of their home since they bought it last year and hope it will become a place where school children can visit to learn more about nature and helping the environment.

Mr Bunting (42) said: "Loss of habitats is bad news for the planet. Over the past 50 years the UK has lost some 95 per cent of its wildflower meadows and 50 per cent of lowland woods. This environmental damage is now being accompanied by serious changes to the atmosphere.

"We can all take steps to protect habitats and ecosystems, and to address the unprecedented global threat of climate change."

The group is currently working on five acres of grassland at Hackney Leys just outside of Matlock and will be using traditional and organic methods to keep much of the land as hay meadow, which will allow wildflowers to flourish.

Native broadleaved trees, which provide food and shelter for many creatures and also absorb carbon dioxide, will also be planted.

Wild hedgerows will be managed around the fields and dry stone walls will be re-built to give homes to many animals which exist in the Peak and Dales countryside.

The couple now hope to start encouraging others to begin looking at using their green spaces in a similar way and have recruited the help of Peak District National Park Authority head of property services Matthew Croney to help give advice on how to best manage the land.

He said: "There are lots of people with small pieces of land who want to do something positive with it but do not know where to start. That is where this project could help."

The project will also be working closely with schools to create other little green spaces and to teach the youngsters about the different wildlife that can be found.

Mrs Bunting (40), a teacher, added: "The children will be the ones making the policies in the future and if they do not grow up with the knowledge they will not be able to use it."

She also hopes to encourage schools to take part in the project by planting trees to represent each new reception child every year.

There will also be a chance to buy a tree in the name of a loved one or to mark an occasion to help the environment.

For more information or to make a donation to the project,, call Mr Bunting on 07753 488146, visit www.littlegreenspace.org.uk or write to Little Green Space, PO Box 7590, Matlock, DE4 9BT.