United Kingdom-Protecting the grasslands.

WORK has begun to protect flower-rich grasslands that have been left largely untouched for generations.

The pastures, which border the Derwent Reservoir, near Consett, County Durham, have received little or no artificial chemical fertiliser within living memory and still support a wealth of wild flowers and grasses.

Their importance has been recognised and Northumbrian Water is working with Durham Wildlife Trust to manage the grasslands in a traditional way, without the use of chemical fertilisers or herbicides.

Trust wetlands reserves officer Andy McLay said; "We always knew that this area was important, but now there is increased recognition of its value.

"Old meadow plants like great burnet, betony and devilsbit scabious can be found with a variety of wild grasses such as quaking grass, downy oat grass, heath grass and meadow fescue.

"Adderstongue fern, a curious little low-growing plant of ancient grasslands, has been found in no less than 11 different fields around the reservoir perimeter.

"Several of these fields are of the "rigg and furrow" type – a feature left over from a medieval form of strip cultivation.

All this makes this a very rare and precious habitat."

Several of the best grasslands have been fenced and are being grazed by traditional breeds such as Highland cattle and Exmoor ponies, which help prevent the spread of scrub and bracken.