NATURE-lovers are being encouraged to go on the hunt for some of Bolton’s most elusive creatures.

The Woodland Trust’s annual Bioblitz aims to celebrate local wildlife, with six free public walks set to take place on the Smithills Estate.

This year’s event will include a special performance from a a theatre group aiming to shed some light on conservation in the borough.

Performers from the troupe will pop in at regular intervals during the walk dressed as wildlife-inspired characters to provide an unusual twist on nature walks.

Russell Hedley, Woodland Trust communications officer, said: “This year we’ll be working alongside Rusticus Theatre to produce a fun and energetic nature trail through the woods and open heathland of Smithills.

“During the walk there will be different characters to meet including a swallow who has just arrived from Africa, helping the public find wildlife.

“We’ve worked with Rusticus Theatre on several events and they always provide fun and energetic characters to engage with the whole family.”

The Smithills Estate is the Woodland Trust’s single largest site in England.

The 685ha site stretches from the historic Smithills Hall up to the television mast on Winter Hill.

This year’s walks will be held on July 13 and will start from the new Walker Fold Car Park near Walker Fold Woods (BL1 7PT). It has special significance as it is being held one year after the Winter Hill fire, giving walkers the chance to see parts of the area which was burned.

“Despite the severity of the fire, the land has shown great early signs of recovery,” Mr Hedley said.

“Winter Hill itself currently looks like it’s covered in snow, but this is actually a huge growth of cotton grass.

“The charred earth is full of nutrients and you can clearly see how fertile it is by the enormous display of cotton grass this summer. I’ve lived in Bolton for 30 years and have never seen anything like it.”

Tickets for the event are available here.