THE first local nature reserve ever to be created on Ministry of Defence land has celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Visitors from far and wide poured into Foxglove Covert, behind Cambrai Lines in Catterick Garrison, to help mark the occasion.

Guests included the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Barry Dodd, Richmond MP Rishi Sunak and the reserve's patron, Lord Zetland, who planted trees to mark the occasion.

Foxglove Covert is recognised nationally for its unique mosaic of wildlife habitats and retired major Tony Crease instrumental in developing the site over the years.

“The evolution of this amazing reserve in terms of habitats, species, community engagement and children's education, has been nothing short of remarkable," he said.

"It has been achieved only with the support, hard work, dedication and selfless commitment of many from the local area, both military and civilian.

"It is a peaceful place for all to enjoy and be proud of.”

Over the past 25 years the reserve has gone from one achievement to another and has benefitted from £2m being invested in the site, including funding from the MoD, Natural England, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Richmondshire District Council.

The reserve has nationally important wetlands and is part of the Natural England Flagship Ponds project.

Lord Zetland said: “Twenty five years ago, Foxglove Covert was inaugurated in this most unlikely setting.

"Since then, the reserve has gone from strength to strength and now has a hugely enthusiastic team of staff and volunteers who give up their free time to dig, build, weed and coppice along with numerous other tasks.”