Wildlife Trust raises £6m towards estate purchase

An environmental charity has reached 20% of the £30m needed to buy and preserve a huge area of countryside.

The Wildlife Trusts has raised £6m towards the purchase cost of Rothbury Estate in Northumberland.

The charity has already bought a section of the land, which includes the Simonside Hills, but is seeking donations to allow it to buy the rest of the 9,500 acre (38.4sq km) estate.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust CEO Mike Pratt said: "We've been overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of love for the Rothbury Estate and local people's support of our purchase."

The charity said it is in the process of developing a management plan for the land and will begin monitoring habitats during spring.

Community groups are among those raising money for The Wildlife Trusts' appeal.

Crafting friends Marjorie Davy and Lydia Nixon, from Rothbury, raised £900 for the charity by making and selling a collection of needle-felted decorations.

The pair began with Christmas decorations before turning to Valentines hearts in February.

"Making and selling our felted hearts and little wild creatures is a great antidote to worrying about the nature and climate crises," said Ms Davy.

"Now we feel we're doing something about it by helping the fundraising appeal."

Ms Nixon said: "People feel a part of nature in Rothbury and there's a vibrant community spirit - we help each other here."

The Rothbury Estate is owned by the Duke of Northumberland's youngest son, Lord Max Percy, and had been in the family for about 700 years.

The land being bought includes 12 farms, more than 1,800 acres (7.3sq km) of woodland, 23 homes, a pub and a caravan park.

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