A CONSERVATION group has moved to dispel rumours of a scaling down of plans for a flagship nature reserve.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says it too has heard the rumours about it's multi-million pound scheme for Teesside - and they are untrue.

"In terms of the rumours that are going around they are inaccurate,'' insisted RSPB spokesman David Hirst.

"Maybe we were a bit mistaken in releasing an artist's impression early, but we were so excited at the prospect of what the visitor centre will look like.

"But, what the architects come in with is their first vision.

"Any changes that happen are down to practical planning issues rather than money issues.''

The RSPB plans to create new pools, tracks, hides and walkways together with the construction of a flagship Wild Bird Discovery Centre at Saltholme, behind the Clarences estates, near Billingham.

The site of national importance, providing a sanctuary for declining populations of wading birds, is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors a year.

The new Wild Bird Discovery Centre and associated visitor facilities will cost more than £4m and lie at the heart of a 1,000-acre nature reserve.

The masterplan for the next stage of the reserve's development will be on view at Stockton Parish Church on Thursday, December 15, between 3pm and 7pm.

Representatives of the RSPB and the Teesside Environmental Trust (TET) and the project's design team will be on hand to explain more about the scheme, one of the largest wetland creation projects in the north of England.

The reserve is due to open in 2008.