A majestic green and turquoise Emperor dragonfly dazzled the first visitors to a conservation area at the heart of the Lake District.

Foulshaw Moss, South Cumbria's largest peat bog, was officially opened to the public on August 1, following an arduous four-year restoration programme.

And the highlight of the day was the discovery of the Emperor at the reserve for the very first time, bringing the total number of dragonfly species at the site up to 11.

John Dunbavin, Cumbria Wildlife Trust reserves officer, was thrilled to have spotted the creature at the reserve.

He said: "The fact that the Emperor dragonfly is often very wary makes it difficult to see, so we are delighted that it put on such a special show for visitors at the official opening."

At 350 hectares, Foulshaw Moss is one of the largest remaining areas of peat bog habitat in Britain. It is so special that it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and has also been nominated for the European accolade of Special Area of Conservation - only given to the top wildlife sites.

Foulshaw boasts a huge variety of plants and animals, including the cranberry, bog rosemary, heath butterfly and bog bush cricket.

But the reserve was not always such a haven for wildlife. During the 1950s and 60s, Foulshaw was planted with conifers and drains were dug into the peat surface meaning that many species suffered as a result.

In 1998, Cumbria Wildlife Trust bought the moss and since 2000 it has carried out one of the biggest rehabilitation projects of its kind, restoring Foulshaw to its former wildlife-rich condition.

Now that the reserve, near Witherslack, is open to the public, Mr Dunbavin is keen to attract more visitors.

He said: "Peat lands or bogs are sometimes seen as waste land but they are actually one of our last great wildernesses. They can tell us so much about climate and conditions thousands of years ago and are a valuable indicator of environmental change.

"They are also home to many rare and threatened species not found anywhere else and we hope that visitors will be able to find out more by coming along."

Foulshaw Moss is located near Witherslack and it can be reached from the entrance track leading on to the moss, just off the A590.