A NEW nature reserve has been declared in rural north Cumbria.

The threatened rare lowland bog at Bolton Fell, Hethersgill, near Longtown, has been declared a national nature reserve by Natural England and will soon be opened up to the public.

It comes after years of conservation work taking place on the former peat work site.

The restoration of the site has already seen native wildlife return to the area including adders, lizards, raft spiders, and black darters.

Tony Juniper, chairman of Natural England, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be declaring Bolton Fell and Walton Mosses as a national nature reserve.

“The national nature reserves are really the jewels in the crown of our natural heritage.”

Natural England expects that the reserve will be open to the community to explore the habitats by the end of summer.