A DENBIGHSHIRE nature reserve has more than doubled in size to 20 hectares.

Aberduna, near Maeshafn, has been extended as part of an agreement with Hanson PLC, after the closure of the Aberduna Quarry in 2012.

Woodlands and meadows surrounding the old quarry have now been transferred to the North Wales Wildlife Trust for the benefit of wildlife and the enjoyment of local people.

To celebrate this and strengthen community connections, North Wales Wildlife Trust welcomed residents from neighbouring towns and villages to go and ‘Discover Aberduna’ in February.

Activities included practical mindfulness sessions, where people could connect with the natural world and improve their well-being, to planting the first trees in the new Maeshafn community orchard and sampling some freshly pressed apple juice.

Community and education officer Iwan Edwards said: “Aberduna Nature Reserve has a lot going for it.

“The site has fantastic views of the Clwydian Range area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and has a wonderful mix of limestone grassland and ancient woodland that grow out of the cliffs and limestone pavement, supporting no less than 28 different species of butterflies.

“Since we started managing part of the site in 1993, we’ve had a dream of relocating our office here and welcoming the local community to start seeing this nature reserve as their own. This event marks the beginning of a new life for us, the reserve and its wonderful wildlife and hopefully the communities in and around Maeshafn and Llanferres.”

On the day, there were a range of activities for people to get involved, including guided walks looking at the geological history of the site dating back 3.5 million years to the 20th century and its industrial history.

There was a look at the way nature has reclaimed vast tracts of this once barren landscape.