'Major improvements' made at nature reserve

The reserve is home to ponds and aquatic wildlife as well as plant and bird species

A nature reserve has been transformed thanks to a grant of £75,000.

Fibbersley Local Nature Reserve on the Walsall-Wolverhampton border near Willenhall, is a wetland site containing many ponds and green spaces, as well as 200 different plant species and dozens of species of birds.

The improvement project was delivered by Walsall Council, with support from the Friends of Fibbersley Local Nature Reserve group.

Key changes included nearly half a mile (750m) of accessible pathways and new gates.

Also added was a new site map. Undergrowth was cut back in some woodland areas, as well as dredging of one of the site's key ponds.

According to Walsall Council, it is one of the only places in the borough that is home to the great crested newt - a protected species.

"We have a wide array of green spaces in Walsall, and any improvements to make them more accessible should be celebrated," said councillor Gary Flint, portfolio holder for culture, health and wellbeing.

The reserve is managed by the authority, and is supported by a group of volunteers, who carry out litter picking, habitat management and building benches.