Wildlife 'disaster' as reserve damaged in break-in

The area near a memorial bench was one of the worst damaged

Rare orchids and wildflowers that grow at a Leicestershire nature reserve have been damaged by thieves breaking into a quarry site.

Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust said its Cloud Wood site in Worthington, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, was used to access Breedon Group's Cloud Hill Quarry on Saturday night.

Tools and cabling were taken, said Leicestershire Police, while the incident left a trail of damage in the woodland.

The trust said the incident was a "disaster" for the site's native wildlife and combined with an attempted theft at Rutland Water in October will have a huge impact on its work.

Gates and fences at the reserve were damaged to gain access, but the vehicles used left deep ruts across the site.

The trust said it left a "right mess" which could impact rare orchids and wildflowers which grow at the site, and rare butterflies which visit to feed on them.

The trust will face a nervous wait until the spring to see if all the species recover

Rare plants at Cloud Hill include the bee orchid, greater butterfly orchid, common-spotted orchid, early purple orchid, solomon's seal and herb-robert, said the trust, while butterflies observed include the rare purple emperor, white-letter hairstreak and the silver-washed fritillary.

A spokesperson described Cloud Wood as being home to some of the most botanically-diverse trackways, known as a ride, in Leicestershire.

They added: "The damage caused by the vehicle ruts may have affected many of the wildflower and orchid species that grow here.

"It is especially heart-breaking that some of the worst affected rides are the ones in front of a memorial bench, which in warmer months has the most spectacular views of the wildflowers and the butterflies that feed on them."

Purple emperors visit Cloud Wood but their favoured flora may not be growing there next year

Leicestershire Police said it was reported to the force on Monday that tools and copper cables had been taken in a burglary at about 23:00 GMT on Saturday.

The force is investigating the incident and asked anyone with information to make contact.

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