Coun Bernard Ingham, Ann Skinner, NWDC's Mike Hasted, mayor Jacky Martin, English Nature's Jerry Hamersley and Coun Peter Davis 16227/1Nature lovers in Corston have been celebrating official recognition of their village quarry as a local nature reserve.

North Wiltshire MP James Gray formally opened the nature reserve, the first of its kind in north Wiltshire, on Saturday.

Two thirds of the old quarry is now occupied by an open pond and is an important toad-breeding site.

The quarry, which used to provide limestone for stone walls and buildings until the 1950s, now supports breeding birds such as kingfishers and herons.

Wildflowers, such as bee and pyramid orchids, can also be found on the site.

Over the past five years villagers have managed the site as a local amenity and nature reserve, and villager Daphne Jones said it is a beautiful area to visit.

Mrs Jones said: "It is very important that the pond be declared a nature reserve for those of us who have known all along how beautiful it was.

"I have been taking photos there throughout the season and local volunteers have been tending and getting rid of the weeds.

"It is a lovely spot to visit for the family and each season it looks beautiful."

The reserve is situated off the bridleway which connects Mill Lane with Common Road.

St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council obtained the land ten years ago and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust designated it a county wildlife site.

English Nature spokeswoman Katie Lloyd said: "Local nature reserves give people special opportunities to enjoy and have contact with nature, or to study and learn about wildlife.

"English Nature is delighted that Corston Quarry and Pond has been declared the first local nature reserve in North Wiltshire.

"It is a haven for wildlife and a great asset to the county of Wiltshire."

Over the past few years, the voluntary management committee has removed invasive sycamore trees and cut back scrub.