One of Thetford's best kept wildlife secrets is to get a helping hand from some new friends.

More than 30 local people signed up to be a friend of the Nunnery Lakes reserve, at an open evening held by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) at its headquarters in Thetford last week.

The friends will volunteer for conservation tasks and activities on the reserve, from scrub clearance, footpath maintenance and wildlife recording, to helping to look after flood meadow and reed bed.

With support from Thetford Garden Centre, the BTO's newest corporate member, the friends will have all the tools they need to help them in their task of improving habitats for some of the wildlife found on the reserve, which is home to otters, owls and kingfishers.

Gary Conway, head of fundraising at the BTO, was delighted by the enthusiastic response.

He said: 'A total of 60 species of bird breed on the Thetford reserve with many more passing through or over-wintering, so it is great that so many local people have come forward to volunteer.

'Thanks to this new group of friends, we can make sure that the lakes and surrounding habitats are kept in good condition.'

He added: 'It is fantastic that Thetford Garden Centre have come on board. The additional tools they have provided mean that the volunteers will have everything they need to start work at the reserve, a valuable coming together of local volunteers and local business.'

The friends will meet twice a month, on the first Wednesday and third Sunday.