Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve declared open in Cleethorpes ceremony

The King could not make it to Cleethorpes but he is seen here chatting with nature enthusiasts on a visit to Lincolnshire back in July

THE  Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve was today formally 'declared' open at a ceremony in Cleethorpes.

It is the first in the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves and is due to be joined by 24 others over the next five years.

It covers  33 square kilometres along almost 30 kilometres of the Greater Lincolnshire coast containing a rich variety of sand dunes, saltmarshes, mudflats and freshwater marshes.

It brings together the  Donna Nook and Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes national nature reserves along with other sites such as the RSPB's Tetney Marshes reserve.

A statement from Natural England reads: "The new reserve is close to large urban populations, with Grimsby and Cleethorpes to the north, Mablethorpe and Sutton-on-Sea to the south, and Louth and Lincoln to the west. 

"The reserve will help to unlock more opportunity for local people to access and experience the coastline for their own health and wellbeing, supporting communities to get active, providing education opportunities or learning new skills through volunteering or to simply recharge in nature. "

The designation has been welcomed by the leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Philip Jackson.

Says he: "Our coastline is an internationally important landscape for wildlife. We’re lucky to have it on our doorstep. 

"The new reserve provides an excellent opportunity for Cleethorpes to attract more visitors throughout the year and connect with Nature.

"We are proud to be working with Natural England and our other partners to create this new National Nature Reserve and look after it for generations to come." 

                                                                                                                  

The orchid-rich Cleethorpes local nature reserve is included in the designation 

                                                                  

The chief executive of Natural England, Marian Spain unveils the designation plaque in Cleethorpes Town Hall 

This image indicates the length and breadth of the reserve