Swanpool Nature Reserve is celebrating this week with news that the Swanpool Forum, who protect the reserve, has received funding of £10,000.

The forum is made up of various partners all acting as guardians of the reserve, to ensure that the pool, flora, fauna and wildlife of the area are protected. The £10,000 has been donated by Awards for All via the National Lottery and is the largest tranche of funding ever received by the forum.

Smaller amounts of money have been secured in the past and have been spent on various projects to ensure the nature reserve is protected, but this new round of funding will mean that a more concentrated and focused action plan can be put into place.

A forum spokesperson said: "We are absolutely delighted with the news. The funding will mean we can finally start working on the plans we have had in place for the past few years. We are incredibly grateful to Awards for All for donating the money and can't wait to begin spending it on much needed projects."

The funding has already been earmarked by the enthusiastic forum members to be spent on a new "floating island".

The island will be a follow on from an original Swan raft that was put in place to accommodate a swan's nest, but the new island will be able to accommodate more wildlife and nesting sites making it a safe haven for the birds.

It will also help attract more visiting birds to the reserve by making the pool a safe place for birds to land.

Training is also high on the list of priorities, with training for the forum members and volunteer "wardens" of the reserve planned for this year. Essential equipment to maintain it will also be purchased with the funding to include roosting rails around the pool.

The spokesperson added: "We really want to raise awareness of the reserve so will use the funding to promote the work we are doing.

"We hold a Swanpool Nature Reserve Fun Day and plan this year's event for Saturday, June 9 to be bigger and better than ever.

"We will reveal more details nearer the time but plenty of activities such as pond dipping, rock pooling, mural painting and habitat building will be on offer for all the family."