A DECADE of work by a team of volunteers will culminate next week with the opening of the Ministry of Defence's first local nature reserve.

The Foxglove Covert field centre, at Catterick Garrison, will be opened on Wednesday by Field Marshall Sir John Chapple.

The field centre has cost £325,000 to complete on the reserve, which extends to more than 70 acres and includes a mosaic of ancient woodland, willow and alder carr, heathland, grassland and wetlands.

Since records on the site began ten years ago, about 900 different species have been logged and more than 20,000 birds have been ringed.

Founder member of the conservation group Major Tony Crease said: "When we set out nobody really knew it would have any long-term success.

"That people in the local community have steadfastly supported the idea for so long is quite remarkable.

"The whole idea has evolved over the years and more and more people are coming along to visit as it fulfils a requirement for many different interest groups.

"The new centre was desperately needed as we had completely outgrown ourselves and the new facilities are absolutely marvellous."

He said there had been a long-felt need for a focal point for research, education and community activities at the reserve - and the new centre was providing it.

According to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, it is one of the best in the country, and at the beginning of this month the centre was presented with a Conservation Award for 2002.

Other recognition has also been forthcoming in the form of the Silver Otter Award, the Shell Better Britain Award and the Transco Community Award.

The centre is being used by schools, specialist natural history groups, beekeepers and community groups, as well as for bird-ringing courses and art classes.

The project was supported by the Ministry of Defence and financial help came from English Nature, the Dulverton Trust, Lloyds TSB, Yorventure, the county and district councils and the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward