A NATURE reserve in Romsey will benefit from the generosity of local residents.

The Park Café in Memorial Park has raised £840 for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, from the proceeds of duck food sales.

Customers of the café purchased the food to feed to the ducks in the park and the donation will now go towards tools for volunteers to help and improve the wildlife haven.

Steph Watson, fundraising officer at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “The Park Café and its customers have been fantastic supporters of our work to restore Fishlake Meadows nature reserve for local people and wildlife alike. The support of local businesses is invaluable to our work protecting wildlife and wild places. We’re hugely grateful to the team and customers at The Park Café for their generosity.”

The nature reserve, which was previously owned by Bellway Homes, was transferred to Test Valley Borough Council as part of the Oxlease Farm housing scheme. In 2017 the council appointed Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to manage the site.

The nature reserve covers around 60 hectares and supports more than 150 species, including hunting osprey, elusive bittern and migratory cuckoo.

It is also home to otter, water vole, 24 species of dragonfly and damselfly, and a variety of plants.

In a joint statement Sally Lamb and Sandra Rispin of The Park Café said: “The children who visit the Memorial Park really enjoy feeding the ducks and we enjoy knowing that the money raised is used to support our local nature reserve and its wildlife.”

Local community members wishing to get involved in helping manage the nature reserve, including by mending fences and creating new habitat, can get in touch with Jo Armson on Jo.Armson@hiwwt.org.uk.

Businesses wishing to support their local Wildlife Trust nature reserve or wildlife project may get in touch with Steph Watson on Steph.Watson@hiwwt.org.uk or 01489 774 412.

The trust is supported by 26,000 members.