Former gravel pits get top status

Thrapston Lakes was once a group of gravel pits

A group of former gravel pits in Northamptonshire has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by English Nature.

Thrapston Lakes in the east of the county has been designated an SSSI because of its importance to wildlife and their habitats.

The site in the Upper Nene valley is home to thousands of birds.

More than 120 species have been spotted there, including skylarks, reed and sedge warblers and redshanks.

Ken Monroe, from English Nature, said: "From a nature conservation point of view its fantastic news because it recognises this is a nationally important site for protecting wildlife.

"In the winter we're talking about more than 20,000 birds that come to winter there - that's an internationally important number of birds."

There are more than 4,000 SSSIs in England, covering about 7% of the country's land area.