A £75,000 APPEAL has been launched to 'grow' a South Hams nature reserve which is home to nuthatches, dormice and the rare heath lobelia.

The 69-acre Andrew's Wood reserve near Kingsbridge was bought more than 20 years ago by the Devon Wildlife Trust.

Now the trust wants to buy another 13 acres of neighbouring land to add to the reserve.

And it is asking its 36,000 members to help come up with the £75,000 it will cost.

Matt Boydell, the trust's land management manager, said: "We really need the support of our members and the general public to help us purchase this new area of land.

"Devon Wildlife Trust has managed to raise enough money for the deposit which is a great first step and has enabled us to proceed with the purchase.

"The new fields will help us manage the site better. They come with an access agreement which will help us graze the Western side more easily. This should in turn encourage the heath lobelia to expand its range."

The majority of the reserve is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest featuring wildlife, rich woodland and a system of fields once farmed by the residents of the hamlet of Stanton.

The site is most famous for being one of only a few remaining places in the country to support the heath lobelia, a plant which thrives on wet acidic heathland. It also supports many woodland bird species such as nuthatches and song thrushes, along with an impressive population of dormice.

Matt added: "With the onset of climate change it is really important that we look to expand our reserves to better protect rare wildlife. If we can raise the money it should help to secure Andrew's Wood's long term future."

Anybody wishing to donate towards the purchase of this land can do so online at www.devonwildlifetrust.org or by calling Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244.