RSPB Bempton Cliffs nature reserve gets lottery grant

The RSPB said the site had the largest mainland gannet colony in the UK

An "internationally important" nature reserve has been awarded £640,000 to upgrade a seabird visitor centre, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) said.

Bempton Cliffs, at Flamborough Head in East Yorkshire, has the UK's largest mainland seabird colony, according to the RSPB.

It said the four-year project would improve facilities at the site, home to more than 200,000 nesting birds.

Keith Clarkson, site manager, said it attracted about 76,000 people a year.

Mr Clarkson said: "Over the years the site has become worn - just through normal wear and tear - with the visitor centre, footpaths, toilets and the car park now in need of an upgrade."

The funding will also be used to employ an additional four staff in part-time and full-time roles.

The RSPB said the site had the UK's largest mainland gannet and kittiwake colonies, and three quarters of England's razorbills and guillemots.

Fiona Spiers, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "Bempton Cliffs is an internationally important site for nesting sea birds and one of the best places in Europe to see them."

The RSPB has managed a nature reserve at Bempton Cliffs since 1969.

The HLF grant will be added to £300,000 of funding from the RSPB.