THE nature reserve at Lydden and Temple Ewell, near Dover, is set to become one of the biggest of its kind in England thanks to a £249,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

The money will enable Kent Wildlife Trust to purchase and manage Temple Farm as part of the nature reserve, almost doubling its size 311 acres.

This makes it one of the largest reserves under full nature conservation management in England.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced the grant, one of three aimed at protecting some of the finest natural landscapes in South East England and enabling future generations to enjoy them.

"Natural landscapes play an increasingly important role in modern life, particularly in areas which are densely populated and urbanised,” said Michael Houghton, senior member of the Heritage Lottery Fund's South East England team.

“Not only do they provide a vital habitat for our wildlife, but they offer somewhere for people to get away from the stresses of everyday life.

“People often don't associate the countryside with their heritage, but these grants underline what a significant part it has played in shaping local identities and continues to play today."

Temple Farm, which has suffered the effects of being farmed intensively, will be restored to chalk grassland, and the grant will not only improve public access to the site, but will enable the trust to offer an enhanced visitor experience via information boards, leaflets and self-guided nature trails.

Ten wildlife study days and six illustrated talks/presentations will be held each year for the local community.

The project will require considerable assistance from volunteers for tasks such as tree and hedge planting, erecting stock fencing and field gates, and restoring ponds.

A total of 150 new active volunteers will be recruited and a free training programme will be offered. Long-term conservation volunteers and young people seeking careers in the environmental field will be offered more advanced training in surveying and monitoring techniques.