City chiefs have been asked to pledge cash support for a scheme to restore Winchester's St Faith's Meadow.

The land, an area south of the Garnier Road pumping station and extending as far as St Cross, has been "inadequately managed" and has "significantly deteriorated", according to a report which was put before members of the town forum.

It is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest and, as owners, the city council must take steps to restore it under the terms of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act.

The council has already funded a full ecological survey of the meadow by Hampshire Wildlife Trust, which has now come up with a restoration and management plan.

The aim is to clear a plantation of cricket bat willow and control invading species to open up views of St Catherine's Hill from Keat's Walk.

It is hoped that, by allowing seasonal flooding, the diverse meadow species will recolonise and the rich biodiversity of the area will be restored. The trust is prepared to carry out the work with the help of volunteers provided the council comes up with the funding.

It is estimated that the work would cost in the region of £12,000 per annum for the first five years and that a further budget would be required for its management.

At the forum meeting, members recommended that the cabinet be asked to commit £5,000 for the next three years. It is hoped that once this has been granted and additional funding put in place, work on the project can begin later this year.