Bempton Cliffs nature reserve to get £750,000 facelift

The RSPB said the views of visitors and local people were important

More than £750,000 is to be spent improving a nature reserve on the East Yorkshire coast.

Bempton Cliffs, near Bridlington, is home to about 200,000 birds between April and August and attracts more than 80,000 visitors each year.

The RSPB said its popularity meant the car park and paths had worn out and the visitor centre was too small.

Three public consultation meetings are to be held before a planning application is submitted.

The planned improvements include a refurbished visitor centre and car park, new signage, trail bards and artwork and activities. Four new jobs will be created.

The consultation meetings will be held at Bempton Village Hall on 23 January from 17:00 to 21:00 GMT, on 26 January from 10:00 to 15:00 and on 12 February from 10:00 to 16:00.

Keith Clarkson, the RSPB's east coast reserves manager, said: "We want to run the site for the enjoyment of the local community as well as visitors from outside the area, and it's really important to us that local people see Bempton as a place they can visit and use.

"So we want to find out what people think of the plans and give them the opportunity to share their views."