Harpenden’s Mayor has announced an extension to the Batford Springs Local Nature Reserve with the purchase of land in Marquis Lane.

Councillor Mary Maynard said: “The town council, along with the Batford Springs Volunteers, works hard to maintain this area as a nature reserve.

“The area includes the River Lea, one of around only 200 chalk streams in the world, 85% of these are found in England, so we have a special responsibility to look after it.

“The purchase of this additional land will ensure that we can continue the good work that is being undertaken by the volunteers and extend the reserve further along the river."

The land in question runs from the corner of Marquis Lane, eastwards to the bottom of Piggotshill Lane.