The Mayor of Maidstone Cllr David Naghi visited Maidstone's newest nature reserve on Sunday to open a barn for the trustees.

The Hayle Park Nature Reserve on the edge of Tovil was created in 2013 and stretches from Caernarvon Drive in the north to Hayle Place in the south, and from Hayle Mill Road in the Lower Loose Valley in the west to Fieldfare Drive off Postley Road in the east.

The 40-acre park lies adjacent to woodland and historic millponds already owned by the Valley Conservation Society in the Loose Valley Conservation Area and offers a major amenity to dog-walkers, ramblers and nature-lovers.

The park is owned by a trust consisting of three representatives each from Maidstone Borough Council, Tovil Parish Council and the Valley Conservation Society, and is managed on a day-to-day basis by volunteer work-parties.

The new barn was constructed by SPG builders using Section 106 money obtained from the developers of the Hayle Park housing estate.

In addition, a number of local businesses have made donations towards kitting out the building or buying tools for the work party.

Around 70 members of the public attended to watch the Mayor cut the opening ribbon - but all did not go smoothly.

Cllr Naghi was invited to cut the tape using a pair of garden shears which proved to be not sharp enough.

Fortunately, a second attempt, after the ribbon had been largely cut through with a knife, proved more successful.

Cllr Naghi said: "It's very impressive what the trust has been able to do for the community."

Paul Wilby is the chairman of the trustees. He said: "We're delighted that the Mayor was able to join us today - and delighted that so many of our neighbours were able to come along as well.

"The barn represents a significant step forward for the reserve, giving us somewhere to keep our tools and also a kitchen area where our hard-working volunteers will be able take a break with a cup of coffee."

Mr Wilby also thanked the sponsors of the barn, which included Howdens Joinery, who donated the kitchen, Wickes who donated a work-top and £100 for tools, the Blakemore Foundation who donated £200 for tools, and B&Q who donated decking and plants for the reserve.

Tovil Tesco chipped in as well, donating cakes for the opening ceremony.

Anyone interested in joining the weekly Tuesday work parties on the reserve and at the adjacent Crisbrook Meadow, can phone Bryn Cornwell of the Valley Conservation Society on 01622 746514 for directions.