WILDLIFE lovers are to take part in a garden competition inspired by parish councillor Linda Moss.

Linda died recently at the age of 51, and in her will left £300 to pay for a trophy for a wildlife garden competition for Wincham.

Linda had a wildlife garden at her Wincham home, and Wincham Parish Council, on which she served for five years, is planning to organise a competition in her memory in 2016.

The council is also due to plant a number of trees at the Linnards Lane playing field in her memory, along with a plaque, and has nominated her for an ‘Outstanding Councillor’ award.

Linda loved wildlife, and at the end of her funeral service envelopes containing wild flower seeds were given out to people, who were also invited to take bird boxes and feeders with them.

She asked people not to send flowers for the funeral, but to spend the money on feeding the birds in their gardens or near their homes.

Wincham Parish Council noted with sadness Linda’s death at last week’s meeting, and agreed to plant a number of trees, possibly rowan, her favourite, at the playing field as part of a planned community tree planting day due to take place at the end of March.

Councillors also agreed to nominate Linda in the category of ‘Outstanding Councillor’ at the Cheshire West and Chester Local Councils Assembly.

“Linda spent a lot of time in the wildlife garden at her home,” said council chairman Annie Makepeace, who is also a passionate supporter of wildlife and the environment.

“She felt it was important to protect the wildlife we had, and we would often spend time together in her garden. I could not think of anything better to remember her by than having a wildlife garden competition.”

Annie said the competition was due to take place next year to give people time to prepare for it.

The money Linda gave for the trophy will pay for the engraving of the winner’s name for a number of years, and spring flowers are to be planted around the rowan trees.