ACCESS improvements have been made to a Bude pond thanks to a team of volunteers.

Five Bude Valley volunteers, led by Cormac ranger Gareth Cann and his apprentice Josh, carried out maintenance work on the wheelchair-friendly access to the pond near the Tourist Information Centre.

A spokesperson said: "It was a wonderful morning with birds such as Cetti's warbler, wren, robin and dunnock singing strongly and tunefully to establish their breeding territories. As the volunteers rubbed down the woodwork prior to re-staining it, they were rewarded by the sight of newly-emerged butterflies; orange tip, brimstone and green-veined white all seeking out their newly flowering food plants.

"This was rewarding work in more ways than one, maintaining the marshes, providing easy access for all and experiencing the wonders of a spring morning."