Project will preserve hay meadows

The area has 40% of the UK's remaining upland hay meadows

Plans are being developed to help preserve some of Britain's last remaining hay meadows.

The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which spans Cumbria, Northumberland and County Durham, is home to 40% of the UK's upland meadows.

A partnership is seeking funding to retain traditional meadow management and preserve wildlife and flowers.

Public and private cash is being sought for the scheme, which will also raise public awareness of the area.

Rebecca Barrett, North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) area coordinator, said: "The richest hay meadows are simply breathtaking when species such as melancholy thistle, wood cranesbill and globe flower are in bloom.

Cultural landscape

"They survive because traditional hay meadow management is still practiced, in particular late cutting of the crop in July or even August.

"Hay meadows have suffered a significant decline in the past 50 years with areas of species rich grassland having been lost since the last war.

"In the North Pennines, hay meadows remain a vital element of the physical and cultural landscape as well as being an internationally important biodiversity resource.

"The emerging project is designed to help secure the future of this iconic habitat for present and future generations."

As well as being rich in many different and colourful species of plants hay meadows also provide an important nesting habitat for birds such as the lapwing and yellow wagtail, in spring and early summer.