Charity 'devastated' by arson attack at nature reserve

The Greensand Trust, which manages Clophill Lakes, says the fires caused £100,000 of damage

A lakeside nature reserve that opened in April has been damaged in an arson attack.

A wooden boardwalk and several bins were destroyed at Clophill Lakes, at Beadlow, Bedfordshire.

Gill Welham, chief executive of environmental charity The Greensand Trust, which manages the reserve, said she had been consoling "devastated" staff, volunteers and visitors.

Det Con Chloe Vickery, of Bedfordshire Police, said: "The fires, which we believe were started deliberately, have sadly caused a significant amount of damage."

The boardwalk, now destroyed, allowed visitors who found access difficult to enjoy the reserve

Bedfordshire Fire Service said crews from Shefford, Ampthill and Woburn went to the reserve at 02:14 BST on Saturday.

The police attended at 04:25 after reports fires had been started in several locations.

Ms Welham estimated repairs could cost at least £100,000.

She said: "The site had been doing well, people were taking such great care of it and had worked so hard to get it open.

"It is having a huge effect on on everyone.

"For those who find access a little bit more difficult, and are maybe getting on a bit or have push chairs, that boardwalk provided a means to be able to take a really nice short walk in such a wonderful environment."

An information board was pulled down and laid against a bin before being set on fire

Ms Welham still encouraged people to still visit Clophill Lakes, which remains open, saying that even a visitor "buying a cup of coffee" would help it recover.

"We are not a rich charity.

"We're going to have to work really hard to raise the money but we're determined," she added.

A fire service spokesperson said the fire investigation team was working with police scenes of crime officers.

They added: "Devastatingly, the board walk is destroyed."

Police have appealed for information.

At Clophill, lakes and wetlands surround the remains of a Norman castle.