Reopening for town centre reserve

Artwork by schoolchildren is carved into arched oak posts

A nature reserve in the centre of a Gwynedd town has been officially reopened after a grant of £110,000 to improve footpaths and habitats.

Lon Cob Bach features salt water marsh land and reed beds and is home to a variety of wildlife including otters, water voles and many migrating birds.

An oak arch also features artwork by local schoolchildren.

The grant is from Cycoed, a grant programme worth £16m by the Wales Forestry Commission.

It is a green haven at the centre of the historic town of Pwllheli Bob Gryffudd, Cycoed

The project at the reserve took two years to complete but it would now be a facility to be enjoyed by both local people and visitors, said Rhys Roberts, Gwynedd council's countryside warden.

"The financial support by Cycoed has enabled a very exciting development in the history of this unique reserve," he said.

"It has developed to be a very popular location for local residents, and there is plenty to see as you walk amongst thriving wild flower fields, reed beds and the landscaping work on the surrounding land," he added.

Part of the work was to restore the Pont Solomon bridge, which gives visitors the opportunity to walk among the reed beds.

The reserves is home to birds such as this heron

"It is a green haven at the centre of the historic town of Pwllheli," said Bob Gryffudd from Cycoed.

"It's location means a number of residents walk or travel through the reserve on a daily basis," he added.

S4C television presenter Daloni Metcalf, who opened the reserve, said: "A place like this is a good idea and is like a little piece of paradise in the centre of Pwllheli.

"It provides children with the opportunity to run around whilst enjoying wildlife at its very best," she added.