Work is ongoing to turn a neglected countryside spot into a wildlife sanctuary which will be opened up for the public to visit.

Seasalter Levels, which sprawls across 715 acres between Whitstable and Graveney, is poised to become a thriving destination for a range of birds and animals.

Diggers have been on-site installing water systems to help the vast site return to its natural wetland state, and preparations are being made for the viewing public.

Since the work began back in October, the reserve has welcomed green sandpipers for the first time, an increased number of lapwings have arrived and turnstones have hopped over the sea wall to venture in-land.

Islands, water features, fences, gates, crossing points and cattle handling facilities are all being installed as part of the Defra-funded scheme.

The levels – which is predominantly made up of mudflats, grazing fields and dykes – is one of the prime spots in the UK to see the curlew, Europe’s largest wading bird.

It is split into zones stretching from the verge of the coastline to Monkshill.

Funded by a Defra grant, the scheme to turn the site into a thriving wetland area is set to be complete by the end of next month.

The RSPB is leading the work, in collaboration with the Kent Wildlife Trust and Canterbury and Swale councils.

Project manager Helen Pitman said: "It has always been a closed site, and while we're doing the work and the wildlife is getting used to the area, it needs to be behind closed doors.

"We'll be taking a phased approach for visitors to come to parts of the reserve in the future.

"We're turning into a much more natural area with wetlands. It can become a sanctuary for wildlife.

"There is lots of building work in Kent and the landscape is coming more and more under threat.

"We need to protect and help habitats to function. We're the RSPB but it isn't just about birds, we're also helping bees and creating a healthy ecosystem for a range of animals including the water vole.

"Kent is a very dry area of the UK, and with the impact of climate change it is becoming drier.

"We haven't really had any rain this year, whereas this time last year we were under snow. So climate change is having an impact."

The project will enable water to be retained longer during spring and summer months when birds are raising families.

Walkers will soon be able to view the reserve when they venture along a new section of the England Coastal Path in Seasalter.

The route will take users past the reserve - giving twitchers the opportunity to catch a glimpse of rare birds using the new sanctuary.

Information boards are to be installed along the stretch to give walkers an insight into the nature reserve. Then, later down the line, the sections of the reserve will be opened up for the public to visit.

Snipe, marsh harrier, oystercatcher, European white-fronted goose and redshank are among the array of species which frequent the levels.