A TRUST is in a race against time to raise £57,000 to expand a 52-acre nature reserve.

Essex Wildlife Trust wants to purchase an area of land to protect and expand its Wrabness nature reserve but must stump up the cash within three weeks.

The reserve provides stunning views from the southern bank of the Stour Estuary and remains an ecologically important site for wildlife.

It is home to numerous species of bird including Turtle Doves, Yellowhammer, Song Thrush, Short-eared Owl and Barn Owl, as well as wetland and wading birds which visit over winter.

The abundance of wildflowers also supports a host of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.

An opportunity has arisen for the Trust to expand the site by purchasing 4.2 acres of grazing marsh, helping to link the land to Oakfield Wood.

The wood is a green burial ground overlooking the estuary where for each burial a native broadleaved tree is planted.

When the burial ground is completed, it will be managed as an Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserve.

Andrew Impey, who is the chief executive officer of the Trust, said purchasing the marshland would be “strategically important for wildlife” as it would enable animals to move safely between the two areas.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to establish a wildlife corridor that will connect these two areas and allow the safe movement of many different species,” he said.

“With just three weeks left to secure this land we urgently need help and are asking for the public to donate what they can to support this vital acquisition.

“By purchasing this land it will help increase the area that wildlife can successfully thrive in.”

The Trust must find £57,500 within the next three weeks to complete the deal..

To donate call 01621 862964 or visit justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/ewt/wrabnessappeal.