Burial pit becomes nature reserve

The Ash Moor pit was built by the government in 2001

A foot-and-mouth burial site in north Devon, which was never used, is to become a nature reserve.

Ash Moor pit near Meeth was built by the government in 2001 to take 900,000 animal carcasses at a cost of £7.5m.

Now the government has agreed a deal to lease it to the Devon Wildlife Trust - who have a set of ambitious plans.

The trust says its blueprint for the site includes restoring the Culm grassland and creating a mosaic of hedgerow, grassland, copse and ponds.

'A people place'

The trust estimates it will cost around £60,000 over the next two years to carry out the work.

The charity has launched a fundraising campaign to raise the money.

"This is a fantastic outcome," said Steve Hussey from the trust.

"This is very much a partnership project, with the local community working with us as volunteers.

"Our primary aim is always the conservation of wildlife, but this will be a people place as well."