EQUIPMENT donated to the nature reserve at Broadway Gravel Pit, managed by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, will benefit both wildlife and visitors.

Three men have anonymously donated a bench for use in the bird hide and a number of bat and bird boxes for the wetland reserve on the edge of the village.

Mike Turner, volunteer reserve manager, said: “I’ve been involved at Broadway Gravel Pit for more than 40 years altogether and have enjoyed seeing wildlife colonising the reserve.

“We’ve got a wealth of common and not so common wildlife on site, from a rare weevil that hatches on water, forget-me-not newts and slow worms. As well as several species of bat we’ve also recorded more than 90 species of bird using the nature reserve, either breeding here or just passing through.”

Broadway Gravel Pit is owned by Wychavon District Council and leased to the charity as a nature reserve.

Mr Turner said: “We’re building up an enthusiastic team of volunteers and we’re absolutely delighted that people in the local community have donated items for the benefit of both wildlife and us. The bird boxes will be perfect for great and blue tits, among others. The bat boxes are suitable for pipistrelles.

“The whole team is grateful for these and for the bench that will allow us and other visitors to sit in our birdwatching hide with a little more comfort.”

The nature reserve is on the Childwickham Road, near the football club. It is open to the public but due to the sensitive nature of the site, dogs and cycles are not permitted.

The volunteer group meets every Monday between 10am and 1.30pm. Anyone interested in volunteering should call 01905 754919.

The volunteers are also looking forward to chatting to locals about the reserve at the late night shopping event in Broadway tomorrow, which runs from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.