WILDLIFE enthusiasts are celebrating after being awarded a conservation award.

Foxglove Covert, at Catterick Garrison, was the first site in Richmondshire to be given Local Nature Reserve status two years ago.

Now, thanks to the hard work of a dedicated team of volunteers, Yorkshire Wild-life Trust has awarded it the npower Conservation Award.

The reserve was the first site of its kind on operational military land and the original 25 acres has grown to 70 acres. It is home to a variety of bird life, with more than 60 species being recorded there, including nightjars, sparrow hawks, turtle doves and sand martins.

Richmondshire's conservation officer David Elliott said: "A team of 25 people invest a great deal of time and effort into the ongoing care of the nature reserve."

The trust's business development manager Michael Krause said: "Foxglove Covert is an excellent example of how people can make such a big difference to wildlife by working together."