STAFF from Cornwall Council led a successful mini beast hunt and big house making afternoon at Bude Marshes Local Nature Reserve on Friday.

Bude Canal and Marshes form an important green space in the heart of Bude and through a summer programme of activities and events, provides opportunities for everybody to learn about the wildlife on their doorstep.

Coralie Barrow, Corn­wall Council Countryside Officer, said: "Creepy crawlies appeal to big children and little children alike, and the locality of the reserve makes it the perfect place to engage children in the wonders of the undergrowth."

After sweeping the grassland, looking in the under growth and searching trees, a myriad of mini beasts were found, these included smart soldier beetles busy eating pollen, lots of baby grass hoppers, and many beautiful painted lady butterflies.

The bug hunt was followed by an indoor session where the nature detectives did some colouring in and made bug homes out of bamboo to take home to encourage beneficial insects into their own garden.

The next free family event includes a bat and moth night on July 17 and a pond dipping afternoon on August 19.

These activities form part of the management plan for the Bude Local Nature Reserve which aims to increase public participation and engender local pride within the reserve. For more information about these events or the management plan please contact 01208 262857.

The Bude Marshes area was designated an official Local Nature Reserve by the Nature Conservancy Council in February 1983. It was the first statutory Local Nature Reserve in Cornwall.

The purpose of the designation is to facilitate the protection of the flora and fauna of the area. The reserve occupies a poorly drained area between the Bude Canal and the River Neet and is divided into two by the old railway embankment.