Thousands raised for wildflower meadow project

The trust launched its fundraising bid in July

A wildlife trust is thanking supporters after bringing in nearly double its donation target for a project to protect meadows.

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust launched a bid to fundraise £10,000 to look after the county's remaining wildflower meadows in July.

Across the UK an estimated 97% of wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s.

The trust said £19,104 has been donated in total to fund its scheme.

Royah Darabi, the charity’s individual giving and membership manager, said the money "will help us protect, restore and sustain the meadows in our care".

"We knew that people cared about meadows, but we’ve been delighted by the speed and generosity with which people have responded to our appeal for funds to support the meadows in our care," she said.

"These special areas support an array of species – including vital pollinators and ground nesting birds such as the skylark – and seed from these living time capsules can be used to create new meadows elsewhere."