A fundraiser launched by a County Durham wildlife trust to buy and save land from being developed around its nature reserve reached its target.

A staggering £54,000 has been raised in just a week for Rainton Meadows in their ambitious plan to buy neighbouring fields to give the reserve both breathing space and protect it from housing development.

The 74-hectare wetland reserve can be found just off the A690 between Durham and Sunderland and includes a visitor centre, café, and education facilities.

The total amount of money needed to purchase the land is £540,000 - but the trust was eager to secure the funds from the Biffa Award, part of the Landfill Communities Fund.

However, the trust needed to raise 10% of that amount to release the full amount by October - prompting them to start the fundraiser that took off in a matter of days.

Director of the trust, Jim Cokill, appeared in a short video clip on social media thanking supporters for their donations - but emphasised there's still more to be done.

He said: "We are delighted to let you know that we have successfully raised the £54,000 needed to unlock £540,000 from the Landfill Communities Fund scheme via a bid to Biffa Award, to buy the land next to Rainton Meadows, but there is still more work to do!

"The Rainton Meadows Appeal set out to raise £54,000 and in just a week we surpassed this target. But our fundraising doesn’t stop here.

Emily Routledge.Emily Routledge. (Image: Peter Barron)

"By securing more donations we can accelerate our plans to create wetland and meadow habitats in the fields.

"This work will improve the land for nature, increase the diversity and abundance of wildlife and reduce flooding of the access road, making Rainton Meadows accessible for everyone year-round.

"We would like to thank everyone who has donated to our appeal so far. Your support really will make a difference to this special place."

Emily Routledge previously spoke to Peter Barron for The Northern Echo and told him about the true scale of the plans that will not only see the reserve expand but protect the land for the future.

Recommended:

Get more content including the stories that matter to your community from The Northern Echo for just £4 for 4 months for a limited time only here.

She said: “This is the biggest individual giving appeal the Trust has ever done, and it’s a glorious opportunity for nature lovers to play their part in securing and extending a beautiful site for future generations,” she explains.

“Buying this land will enable us to create a buffer between the existing nature reserve and nearby housing, protecting existing species and giving us scope to attract more wildlife to a special part of our region.”

New plant species, meadows, wetland habitats and hedgerows will also be added as part of the plans for the land.