A FORMER mine site has reopened as a wildlife haven thanks to a trust's investment.

The 40-hectare Crow Trees Local Nature Reserve, at Quarrington Hill, was bought with funding of £45,000 from County Durham Environmental Trust (Cdent) to be transformed as part of the Five Villages Waste to Wildlife project.

The initiative was set up three years ago after Cdent gave £225,000 to regenerate land around Coxhoe, Kelloe, Cassop, Bowburn and Quarrington Hill.

The reserve at Quarrington Hill, a prime example of Magnesian limestone grassland, is now home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the rare Durham Argus butterfly, the corn bunting bird and the tree sparrow.

It was officially opened by Councillor Dennis Morgan, of Durham County Council, on Monday.

John Wearmouth, chairman of Cdent, said: "The opening of this site marks another piece in the jigsaw of improvements in and around the five villages in the Coxhoe area.

"Taken together, these improvements are making a real difference to the local environment."

Regeneration work has already taken place at Coxhoe Hall Wood, King's Wood and Little Wood Local Nature Reserves, with Crow Trees marking the project's final stage.

A series of footpaths and cycle ways will ultimately link the reserves, providing easy access between the area's five communities.

Jennie Garod, Five Villages project officer, said: "Crow Trees has been neglected in recent years, but with Cdent's support, we are helping to revive the landscape.

"There is still some work to complete, including restoration of the wetland areas, but we now have the confidence to continue knowing that the long-term future of the site is secure."

The reserve will be managed by Durham County Council with input from local residents.