AN INNOVATIVE living roof made up of plants attractive to wildlife is to be a crowning glory for a new building in South Lakeland.

The new sustainable development centre at the Skelwith Fold Caravan Park was officially opened by The Rt Hon Lord Strathclyde and Skelwith Fold director Henry Wild.

Mr Wild described the building constructed of traditional local stone and other materials as "a landmark achievement" for the park and part of a long-running campaign "to promote sustainable tourism."

The new centre will have a variety of uses - it will house the caravan park's shop, reception and office and will also include a conference centre.

But the building's roof is a departure from the traditional and is constructed out of a living layer of sedum plants which were chosen because of their ability to survive downpours and droughts and the fact that they are attractive to butterflies and bees.

With the passing of the seasons it is hoped that the plants will change colour and help counteract air pollution and provide extra insulation to the building as well as being attractive to insects.

Mr Wild said: "What is nice about it is that it changes colour with the year from pink, to yellow, to red and blue. The centre is the only one of the park's buildings visible from the surrounding fells and the roof looks superb from up on Loughrigg. It was not cheap to install but the cost was similar to constructing a roof out of real Westmorland Slate."

Although not so common in the UK, Mr Wild said he hoped the living roof would eventually catch on.

"We saw the idea for the roof in Holland about 15 years ago where it is quite common," he said.

Although the roof is made wholly of organic materials it is guaranteed to last for 25 years.