A nature reserve in Essex is set to undergo a major transformation following a £190,000 grant.

Langdon Nature Discovery Park will use the money from the Veolia Environmental Trust to create a new pond-dipping station and make significant conservation improvements.

The current pond-dipping station, built in the early 1990s, is no longer safe for public use.

The new structure will host more than 40 supervised sessions each summer, catering for more than 850 people.

The project will also see more than 33 hectares of land returned to natural grazing practices, with a small herd of cattle and sheep given free rein.

Langdon Nature Discovery Park (Image: Veolia) Caroline Schwaller MBE, chair of the Veolia Environmental Trust, said: "The Veolia Environmental Trust is thrilled to be a part of the Langdon Nature Discovery Park project and is looking forward to seeing the vast improvements made across the landscape.

"We are now looking forward to seeing the positive impact that Langdon Nature Discovery Park will have in and around Essex."

James Astley, grants and trusts officer at Essex Wildlife Trust, said: "A huge part of the trust’s work is engaging with the public, especially young people, and we look forward to using the new pond dipping platform to encourage more children to connect with nature.”