Heathland to be protected

The "waved heaths" have been formed by exposure to the weather

More than £500,000 is being spent on protecting a unique form of heathland on the Isles of Scilly.

The waved heaths, which are home to several rare species, have been formed by exposure to the weather.

Professor David Bellamy will be on St Mary's to launch the project to protect the islands' heathland.

There are almost 600 hectares of heath, which is known as waved because it has been shaped by centuries of storms and stock grazing.

Now the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust has won grants to fund a project costing more than £500,000 which will see the heath brought back under the protection of local farmers.

Grazing will be re-established in some areas, while visitors will be encouraged to find out more about the heath.