Wetland centre opened officially

A bridge takes visitors to hides and observatories

A new £3.5m centre to highlight the life, culture and habitats of the fens has been officially opened.

Wildlife expert Chris Packham was at the Wetland Centre at Welney on the Cambridgeshire - Norfolk border to perform the ceremony on Wednesday.

Visitors to the barn-style eco-friendly building already use the facilities.

Manager Veronica Morris said: "We have presentations from the 'Fen Tigers' who talk about the harsh conditions the local population had to endure."

The title of Fen Tiger originated from the observations of a visitor to the area who said local people had to fight like tigers to stay alive.

Ms Morris said: "We have an eel fisherman and Fen Tiger Ernie James talking in a television presentation about the hardships and describing the wind from the east as 'no good for man or beast' because it would go right through people instead of round them.

Popular displays

"We have a room showing what life was really like up to the 1960s."

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust built the Welney centre using environmentally-friendly techniques and energy saving technology.

The two-storey building includes a multi-purpose area for meetings, business and community use and display spaces for arts and crafts.

Ms Morris said that one of the most imaginative displays which has already become a hit with schoolchildren.

"In our pond room we imagine being underwater surrounded by insects, fish and other creatures that live there and, above us, we can see giant herons and other waterfowl who prey on them."

The wetland reserve, on the Ouse Washes, is home to winter gatherings of swans and other birds and a long bridge takes visitors across the rivers and main roads to the hides and observatories.