One of Durham County Council’s local Nature Reserves received a major award for its part in, Ferryhill Town Council’s application for the Northumbria in Bloom regional selection of the Britain in Bloom Competition.

Ferryhill Carrs Nature Reserve, an area rich in habitats and wildlife, was part of the bid and won a gold medal for Best Conservation Project.

The reserve, located near to the Cleves Cross area of the town, is situated in the steep-side former glacial melt-water channel. The slopes are cloaked in broad-leaved woodland comprising mainly of ash and hazel. Gorse scrub and flower rich grassland provide sanctuary for nesting birds and insects, while an extensive wetland of fen and marshland covers the bottom of the valley at the bottom.

The Carrs has been a nature reserve since 2003 and is a much loved area, well visited by the local community. Ian Armstrong, Countryside Officer for Durham County Council who manages the reserve said, “The reserve is an absolute gem and I’m sure many of the Ferryhill residents just don’t realise what they have on their doorstep. Much praise should go to the volunteer wardens and members of the local community who help maintain the reserve in a good condition”.

A spokesman for the Town Council said, “This is a wonderful achievement and would not be possible without the involvement of the local community”.