SOMERSET Wildlife Trust has been selected to take part in The Big Give Christmas Challenge, a national UK match funding campaign.

The Trust say continued investment is needed for nature reserves like the Avalon Marshes, to ensure wetland habitats are in prime condition for the thousands of overwintering birds escaping icy conditions in Northern Europe each year.

Every donation made online between Tuesday, November 28 and Tuesday, December 5, will be matched by two generous donors who have already pledged £10,500.

Katie Arber, Somerset Wildlife Trust’s director of fundraising, said: “Britain’s breeding population of wading birds has collapsed due to habitat loss over the years.

“For example the Lapwing population in England declined by 80 per cent between 1960 and 1998. These declines were mirrored in Somerset, but unlike many other British wetlands, the Somerset population of wetland birds has been clinging on - which is testament to the incredible amount of hard work that has gone into priming these habitats for breeding birds as well as accommodating the thousands of birds that arrive each year.”

For more information about how to donate visit: somersetwildlife.org/The_Big_Give.