It wasn't just a cold winter at Harding's Pits. It was also an expensive one for the community association which runs the nature reserve on the edge of King's Lynn.

First the group was fined �150 by Companies House for sending its accounts in late.

Then the container where it stores its equipment was broken into, and its generator, compressor, strimmer, a new hedge trimmer and various smaller items worth �700 were stolen.

Thieves somehow picked the lock on the container to gain accesss to the equipment, after cutting through a security fence.

Police are investigating and the contained has now been fitted with a second lock.

Equipment stored in the container was not insured, because no insurer would cover such an isolated location.

Directors of the association will be meeting shortly to discuss public liability insurance, after it emerged the reserve is not covered by the owner West Norfolk council's insurance.

That means were someone to injure themselves on the reserve and sue, they could be liable, warns the latest Harding's Pits Community Association newsletter.

Rob Archer will lead a bird walk at Harding's Pits on Sunday, April 10. Meet at the sluice bridge at 8.00 am, bacon rolls and coffee served at 9.00 am.