You may have noticed some patches of long grass at the top of Collett Park.

It's not because someone gave up on the mowing though – it's part of a project to encourage more wildlife into the park.

RSPB conservation advisers put together an ecology report for Shepton Mallet Town Council, looking at Collett Park, and leaving areas unmown was one of the ways that was suggested to increase biodiversity.

"It's part of a suite of other initiatives that are going to attract all sorts of different species," said Gale Pettifer, the town council Projects Officer. "It's about creating wildflower-rich areas, enhancing and developing biodiversity and producing potential education opportunities around nature and wildlife.

The longer grass provides benefits for all kinds of wildlife, including small mammals, bees and birds. It's also an area where native plants can grow, such as buttercups, snowdrops, cornflowers, poppies and cowslips. And as well as being visually appealing, native plants provide benefits for native wildlife that other plants don't.

"There are also plans to use hedges and trees to increase habitats for bats and birds," said Gale. "And ideas involving the pond as well."