New nature reserve for Suffolk after £775K raised

Suffolk Wildlife Trust thanked everyone who supported its appeal

A new nature reserve for rare and declining species is due to be created in a county, after hundreds of thousands of pounds were raised.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust said £775,000 had been secured to complete the purchase of Worlingham Marshes, located within the Broads National Park.

It is hoped woodcock will return to the site's wet woodland, and otters and water voles will use the network of waterways as a breeding habitat.

Christine Luxton, chief executive of the trust, said: "By securing Worlingham Marshes as a new nature reserve, we're protecting even more space in the Lower Waveney Valley for nature's recovery.

"Thank you so much to everyone who has supported our fundraising appeal."

'Wildlife-rich habitats'

The trust said 381 acres (154 hectares) of land had been purchased, thanks to £2m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and further donations from businesses, charities and the public.

The land was previously privately owned and used for grazing and wildfowling.

With fen, scrub, dykes and foot drains - as well as the River Waveney on the northern boundary - the trust said there was "ample opportunity to extend the wildlife-rich habitats, create new wetland features and restore the historic Broadland landscape".

Since the trust secured the stewardship of the site last year, before it could buy the land outright, it said kingfishers, merlin, short-eared owls, marsh harrier, otters, grass snakes, butterflies and dragonflies had already called it home.

The purchase also puts the wildlife trust a step closer to creating a wildlife corridor along the Waveney Valley, which includes connecting its existing reserves at Castle Marshes, Carlton Marshes and Oulton Marshes.

Lewis Yates, Worlingham Marshes' warden, said he was really proud of the progress the trust had made

Lewis Yates, the site's new warden, said: "It's been amazing to see the level of local support for our vision for Worlingham Marshes, and a real joy to share this with the community.

"I can't wait to see how the reserve develops over the coming years."

Planned improvements to be made at Worlingham include visitor viewpoints and footpaths, making the site more accessible for visitors.

Vehicle access is currently not possible, with people encouraged to park at either Carlton Marshes or Beccles before walking to the reserve.