By Lisa CleverdonPRIZE money won by a football club has been used to transform a quiet corner of a town into a natural haven for wildlife.Visitors to AFC Sudbury's ground in the town's Brundon Lane, which backs on to the River Stour, have long been struck by its picturesque surroundings.

By Lisa Cleverdon

PRIZE money won by a football club has been used to transform a quiet corner of a town into a natural haven for wildlife.

Visitors to AFC Sudbury's ground in the town's Brundon Lane, which backs on to the River Stour, have long been struck by its picturesque surroundings.

The club has been ploughing their winnings from successful runs in the FA Vase back into maintaining the area and now part of another £6,000 windfall will be used to preserve it for future visitors to enjoy.

Club groundsman, George Brown, 84, has been looking after the area for 30 years and said they had always taken a keen interest in attracting birds and wildlife.

"It is such a beautiful and unique spot and we have planted hundreds of trees here over the years. We appreciate our surroundings and take pride in where we are and we like to encourage people to come here," he added.

Most of this season's FA Vase proceeds will be spent on drainage and fencing, but previous winnings have been used for anything from bird boxes to trees, including wild cherry and bat willow.

AFC Sudbury's general manager and director, Mick Mills, said he fully supported the club's unusual decision on how to spend the money.

"We are very conscious of the area and ever since we joined the FA Vase we have put the money back into the club's facilities and surrounding infrastructure," he added.

"We try to do as much as we can for the wildlife and to make the visit to the ground as nice for people as possible.

"We have been doing very well in the Vase since the amalgamation between Sudbury FC and Sudbury Wanderers and it is nice to be able to give something back."

lisa.cleverdon@eadt.co.uk