A YORK nature reserve that fears for its future is throwing open its doors for a weekend of special events.

Askham Bog, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) conservation site loved by Sir David Attenborough, is inviting local residents to a series of free events next weekend.

Experts and local natural history specialists Professor Sir John Lawton and Professor Alastair Fitter will be on hand to give guided walks, reveal more about the wildlife and plants found there and answer any questions people may have.

This comes as plans for a potential housing development off Moor Lane, on land next to the site, may have been revived.

The Press reported in June that plans for 500 new homes, shelved by City of York Council in 2016 after warnings from YWT, could be back on the table.

As peatland, Askham Bog and its wildlife and habitat depend on the water table being high.

YWT is concerned about the impact a housing development and the subsequent lowering of the water table would have.

Policy and campaigns manager, Louise Wilkinson, said: “We are very concerned about the impact local development could have on the site and are offering advice and expertise to CYC, developers and decision makers to show why the site deserves ongoing protection.

“Askham Bog is a jewel in the crown of wildlife sites, a very special place loved and enjoyed by thousands of people.”

During a visit for the reserve’s 70th birthday in 2016, Sir David Attenborough said: “Building houses next to Askham Bog would be like putting a supermarket next to York Minster.”

The Bog is YWT’s oldest reserve and one of the richest places for wildlife in Yorkshire.

For its size, the peaty reserve boasts more species of plants and animals than anywhere else in the county and is home to many rare and unusual insects with a rich birdlife.

The open weekend starts at 7.30pm on Friday, September 14 with a bat walk and moth trapping event. On Saturday, September 15 hourly guided walks will take place between 10am and 3pm. Children’s activities will include pond dipping and owl pellet analysis.

Details at ywt.org.uk/events/help-us-save-askham-bog .