The Cotswold Water Park Trust has received a £35,400 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The funding will enable the trust to transform and expand its membership scheme, helping the charity to continue its vital conservation work within the Cotswold Water Park.

This exciting new project has been made possible by money raised by National Lottery players and will commence in June.

The 18 month project will help the trust purchase new membership software, engage and involve new volunteers, and will enable the trust to promote and explain both the Cotswold Water Park and its charitable work to a wide range of people.

Enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of local people and visitors each year, The water park is an area of 40 square miles with over 170 lakes set across the countryside of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and West Oxfordshire.

Lying at the head of the Thames Valley, the mosaic of habitats in the Cotswold Water Park has created one of the best spots for wildlife in the South-West, playing host to over 20,000 wintering waterbirds.

Matthew Millett, development director for the Cotswold Water Park Trust, said: “We are thrilled to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players, this is particularly welcome as it has come at a time when our main sources of income are under serious threat due to the current Coronavirus crisis.

"We are confident the project will enable the Cotswold Water Park Trust to expand its membership scheme so it can support its charitable work in the Cotswold Water Park.”

The Cotswold Water Park Trust is a registered charity which works to improve the Cotswold Water Park.