SOME of Somerset's flagship nature reserves will benefit from a £122,000 investment, over the next few months.


Somerset Wildlife Trust has been awarded grants from Viridor Credits Environmental Company, through the Landfill Communities Fund, to spend at eight sites across the county.


Major improvements for wildlife and people are being made at Langford Heathfield near Wellington as well reserves in Cheddar, the Mendip Hills and the Polden Hills.


Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Director of Land Management, Tim Youngs said: "This funding from Viridor Credits will have a hugely positive impact on some of our most vital nature reserves. 


"These are sites which, with this further investment, have the potential to make the biggest difference for the conservation of priority wildlife-rich habitat whilst providing more special, close-up nature experiences for visitors of all ages.


"What is particularly exciting about this investment is the scale of improvements that we are now able to make. It allows us to make a step-change in our management work to restore these special places."


The work will include creating open areas within reed beds for bitterns and otters, new shallow ditches in wet grassland for snipe and lapwing to breed successfully, coppicing hazel for dormice, and creating sunny rides and glades through woodlands for fritillary butterflies.


Somerset Wildlife Trust say people will benefit, too, thanks to new signage and seating, including an amphitheatre area to provide an outdoor classroom at Catcott.


Meanwhile, new nature trails will be created at several sites, allowing visitors to explore the reserves on marked routes of varying lengths.


Viridor Credits’ CEO, John Lockwood, said: "This latest project in collaboration with Somerset Wildlife Trust is a further step in improving wildlife in Somerset for the benefit of everybody.


"The Landfill Communities Fund is committed to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in the UK and Viridor Credits is proud to be a part of this project."