A county-wide wildlife project is being launched to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee next year.

The aim is to create or improve at least one wildlife site in each district of Oxfordshire - including Oxford - and possibly create one large, new site as a showpiece for the county.

The project is the idea of the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Hugo Brunner, who said: "Throughout the country, people will be celebrating the Golden Jubilee. What better way to do so in Oxfordshire than with a growing, lasting contribution to our county's wildlife heritage?"

Mr Brunner wants help from the public to identify possible locations for the creation of jubilee sites - and for funds to develop them so the public can enjoy wildlife.

The project is being co-ordinated by the Little Wittenham-based Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum - ONCF - which represents more than 50 conservation organisations, ranging from the Berks, Bucks and Oxfordshire Naturalists' Trust to Women's Institutes.

Forum chairman Dr Robin Buxton said the sites chosen would provide an important boost for biodiversity.

He said: "The sites which will be selected by the forum from suggestions made by the public could allow the creation or enhancement of a range of habitats, including woodlands, heath, grassland or wetlands."

All suggestions will be considered but Dr Buxton said it would be particularly valuable to find larger pieces of land which buffer or link existing important wildlife areas.

"These spaces need not be publicly owned," said Dr Buxton, "but they must be accessible to the public to help foster enjoyment of Oxfordshire's wildlife and countryside."

Councils and conservation groups are backing the project. It is hoped they will work with the public and businesses to find sites and raise funds.

For more details, contact Sian Liwicki and Cynth Napper, ONCF, Manor House, Little Wittenham, OX14 4RA or call 01865 407034.