Centre opens in dragonfly haven

Wicken Fen is one of the best places in the UK to see dragonflies

A dragonfly centre which is said to be the first of its kind in Britain is set to open in Cambridgeshire.

BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham will formally open the centre at Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, near Ely, on Sunday.

A former fen worker's cottage has been renovated and the new centre will run dragonfly "safaris" and courses.

The Wicken Fen area is one of the best places in the UK to spot the insects, a spokesman added.

Twenty-one species can be seen along the waterways and ditches, including the Emperor Dragonfly, Hairy Dragonfly, Emerald Damselfly and Red Eyed Damselfly.

The Dragonfly Centre is a joint initiative between the National Trust, the British Dragonfly Society and the Dragonfly Project.

'Threat of extinction'

Stuart Warrington, nature conservation adviser for the National Trust, said: "The loss of wetland habitat throughout Great Britain is having a major effect on the long term survival of many dragonfly species.

"In the past 40 years, three species have become extinct and around a third of the 42 species regularly found in Britain are under threat of extinction."

The centre will house interpretation displays on dragonflies and offer walks, dragonfly safaris and introductory and advanced courses.

Ruary Mackenzie-Dodds, of the Dragonfly Project, said: "Our dream has been realised.

"Wicken Fen is a site which provides the perfect habitat for dragonflies and an ideal place to see and study dragonflies."