Northumberland's Hauxley Nature Reserve is soon to receive key upgrades improving the experience for its thousands of annual visitors.

Enabled by match funding from Northumbrian Water, Northumberland Wildlife Trust will improve accessibility, activities, and habitats at the reserve situated near Druridge Bay.

The renovation initiative includes revamping Ponteland Hide for enhanced visitor safety and full wheelchair and pushchair accessibility, introducing a new interactive brass rubbing trail, and improving the site's footpath drainage in a way that aids in enhancing the wetland habitats.

Simon Cossar, Northumbrian Water’s project manager, said: "Hauxley Nature Reserve is a fantastic facility, visited by around 50,000 people a year, and supporting wetland and woodland habitats.

"Our work in the area created a great opportunity to give funding through our Bluespaces scheme that will really help us work with Northumberland Wildlife Trust to make this amazing site even better for visitors and for wildlife."

The Trust's Druridge Bay landscapes manager, Alex Lister, said: "This is a great boost to our Hauxley reserve.

"The drainage works will allow us to keep the circular walk open for more months during the year which our regular visitors will know that its been closed most of the winter."