A new nature reserve near Hethersgill is expected to bolster the local fight against climate change.

The lowland bogs at Bolton Fell, and Walton Mosses, have been declared as national nature reserves by Natural England.

It is also hoped that a new site of natural significance will be a driver for tourism to the rural area as native wildlife gradually returns to the area.

Tony Juniper, chairman of Natural England, said: “This place, going from it’s post-industrial recent past and to restoration for the recovery of its wildlife is really a big moment.

“This kind of habitat, lowland raised bog, is a very rare kind of habitat across Europe and indeed across England - about 95 per cent of these places have already gone.”

A peat bog may not seem to be the most cutting edge technology fighting the climate crisis.

But, this unlikely site will eventually act as a carbon sink.

This means it will reduce the amount of carbon emissions in the atmosphere by capturing and storing carbon.

“Since the ice age, our active lowland raised bogs have been storing large amounts of carbon and now play a vital role in combating the impacts of climate change,” commented Mr Juniper.

The boost to the climate fight comes as the Government ramps up conservation efforts across the country.

Stephen Trotter, CEO of Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “Cumbria has some of the best bogs in the country, it’s really important that we look after them.”

Wildlife that can typically only be found in a bog habitat has already started returning to Bolton Fell.

Mr Trotter said: “It’s a very extreme kind of habitat because it’s really wet and quite acidic so the range of plants and animals that live here is really specialised.”

Raft spiders, black darters, adders can now be found in the reserve, alongside rare birds such as curlews, redshank and snipes.

For more than 50 years, the Bolton Fell site had been used as a peat harvesting site.

Deborah Land, senior reserve manager of Natural England, said: “Peatlands in general are our rainforests.

“They are either damaged or lost, completely gone, so what we have got left - we really have to look after them.”

It is hoped that the local community can enjoy the nature reserve by the end of the summer.

Sarah Kyle, on behalf of Hethersgill parish council, said: “Hethersgill parish council welcomes the news that the natural nature reserve has been created.

“We look forward to the opportunities it will bring in the future, including the use of the new boardwalk and viewing platform which will hopefully aid access for all including local groups and school children.”