Nature reserve churned up by would-be thieves

The nature reserve has been damaged for the second time in four months

Would-be thieves targeting a quarry have churned up a nature reserve in Leicestershire for the second time in four months.

Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust said its Cloud Wood site in Worthington, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, was again used to attempt to access Breedon Group's Cloud Hill Quarry at the weekend.

Access was not gained to the quarry, but the trust said about 550m of its trails had been "damaged by churning at rutting" at what it called "a crucial time of year".

Leicestershire Police said the criminal damage was reported to have happened between 8 and 10 March and that no arrests had been made.

The force added that a chain and padlock from a gated entrance were taken and damage was caused to the ground with "several small trees removed".

The reserve was previously damaged in December when thieves broke in at the neighbouring quarry to steal tools and cabling, leading to fears it would be a "disaster" for rare orchids and wildflowers at the site.

The thieves tried to use the site to access a neighbouring quarry

Cloud Wood is a designated site of special scientific interest and "supports some of the most botanically diverse rides in Leicestershire", according to the trust.

Rare plants at Cloud Hill include the bee orchid, greater butterfly orchid, common-spotted orchid, early purple orchid, solomon's seal and herb-robert.

Butterflies observed include the rare purple emperor, white-letter hairstreak and the silver-washed fritillary.

The trust added it planned to work with neighbours on a "long-term solution" to the security issues at Cloud Wood.

Breedon Group did not wish to comment when approached by the BBC.