A NATURE reserve in York has received a major funding boost for a new project.

St Nicholas Fields' latest scheme aims to improve the habitat of the local water vole population, and the reserve approached independent funding body the SITA Trust for assistance.

Yesterday it was announced the nature reserve has received £9,592 from SITA Trust towards the project, which will see new aquatic and bank side vegetation planted, and other changes to the reserve.

Jonathan Dent, manager of the reserve, said: "The water vole is, sadly, our fastest declining wild mammal in Britain, mainly due to loss of habitat and mink predation.

"We're thrilled that, thanks to the funding, we can now further improve its habitat on St Nicks and discover more about our local populations. We hope that our Wildwatch volunteers will soon be reporting more vole sightings."

Jools Granville of SITA Trust said: "This is a small but very important project that will improve water vole habitat at the nature reserve situated on the edge of York's city centre.

"It is amazing to know that the area, a former landfill site, now hosts a variety of habitats such as wildflower meadows, native woodland and the two becks which provide home for the water voles. We're delighted to see that St Nicks charity has partnered up with Yorkshire Mammal Group to improve the site even further for this endangered species."