More than 50 people attended the official opening of Sustead Common nature reserve in North Norfolk.

Eastern Daily Press: Opening of Sustead Common. Picture: Kate ProutOpening of Sustead Common. Picture: Kate Prout (Image: Kate Prout)

The land has been leased to conservation charity, Felbeck Trust, by the National Trust and North Norfolk District Council.

And thanks to £3,500 of Big Society money and 500 hours of volunteer work the site is now a roadside nature reserve with a permissive path and home to dozens of species of wildlife, insect, water creatures and birds.

The reserve was offially opened by district councillor Sue Arnold and Felbeck Trust chairman, Trevor Williams, thanked the volunteers, Norfolk Rivers Trust and East Norfolk Bird Club for their support.

Felbeck also manages the adjacent former Surveryor's Common and is carrying out similar work using volunteers and the charity's partners, Norwich Men's Shed and Norfolk Rivers Trust,

Felbeck is also in negotiations to buy Spurrells' Wood opposite Sustead Common, and is hoping to raise £25,000 to match fund.