AN overgrown relic of Manchester's rural past has been restored to its former glory.

Princess Spinney, off Royal Oak Road, in Baguley, had become overgrown and forgotten.

But volunteers from a centre for the homeless have helped council workers in a clean-up and pruning operation,

The woodland, a site of biological importance, is now a haven for wildlife and is used for teaching children about nature.

It was part of a vast area acquired by Manchester from the Tatton family for the creation of a 'garden city' which became Wythenshawe.

Guided by the council's tree experts, volunteers cleaned up the woodland, improved paths, removed weeds from the forest floor and from a pond, and cut back trees.

The volunteers were from the Booth Centre, based in Manchester Cathedral. The centre's Phoenix Landscapes Project provides horticultural work experience for homeless people.