A house developer is hoping to build solid foundations after forming links with a wildlife charity in a bid to save threatened meadows.

Ward Homes has pledged to donate £2,000 to help the Kent Wildlife Trust's Ashford Meadows Project.

Set up earlier this year, the trust set up the project to help small landowners and community groups manage their meadows and grasslands.

It comes as those habitats - rich in wildlife and history - have decreased by 97% since the 1930s.

The Trust has worked closely with local community groups and volunteers to mow and clear more than seven acres of meadow across five different sites in the Ashford area.

The new funding will mean this work can continue into next year and beyond.

Ian Rickards, Ashford area warden for Kent Wildlife Trust, said: “Meadows need to be maintained and managed to allow them to flourish.

"Support from local companies and organisations like Ward Homes will allow us to carry this project on into the future" - Ian Rickards

"Support from local companies and organisations like Ward Homes will allow us to carry this project on into the future, helping to get more and more areas into good management.”

Changes to land use over the past 60 years have resulted in many meadows and grasslands being destroyed.

Peter Reed, project manager for Ward Homes commented: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust and support of its Ashford Meadows Project.

"Meadows offer a diverse and attractive habitat which supports an array of wildlife and hope that our support can go some way to help."