Wildlife charity celebrates 45 years

The organisation was founded in 1962 to protect the wildlife of Westmorland, Cumberland and Lancashire, north of the sands and was at first known as the Lake District Naturalists' Club.

Since then, CWT has expanded dramatically from just one nature reserve, when it was founded to 42 reserves, 15,000 members and 35 staff in 2007.

Peter Bullard, director of Cumbria Wildlife Trust thanked the organisation's supporters and volunteers for their hard work over the years: "Without our supporters' passion for nature and for Cumbria we would not be doing all the vital work that we are carrying out in Cumbria right now," he said.

As well as looking after 42 nature reserves in the county, CWT helps conserve wildlife locations all over the country.

It runs a local wildlife system that advises landowners on how to preserve the wildlife existing on their land.

It also looks at planning applications to ensure wildlife is taken into account where new development occurs.

It also works in partnership with many other organisations, such as Natural England and the RSPB, to preserve species, such as the red squirrel and wildflowers.

Mr Bullard said: "Halting the extraction of limestone pavement in Cumbria and stopping any new peat extraction sites are two massive achievements for us. Getting the water quality of the lakes and rivers improved to help the otter recolonise is also really important.

"On the downside, 98 per cent of wildflower meadows have been lost and many wetlands have continued to be drained. Local wildlife sites are still being damaged and the river vole has disappeared from most of Cumbria, "We are working towards reversing these trends by recreating habitats and reintroducing water voles to Cumbria this year.

The trust will be celebrating in style at a fundraising dinner at the Roundthorn Country House, Penrith, in December, with guest speaker Professor Aubrey Manning OBE, zoologist, broadcaster and new president of the wildlife trusts.