A NEW nature reserve has been invaded by travellers a week ahead of its official opening.
Rhuddlan Nature Reserve became home to the group over the Bank Holiday weekend to the anger of local residents and community leaders.
Volunteers from the community have helped to establish a pond, 7,000 shrubs and trees, information boards and viewing platforms at the 17-acre site which is due to open on September 11.
Denbighshire County Councillor Ann Davies said the arrival of the travellers onto the site was “disappointing”.
“Denbighshire County Council together with the community of Rhuddlan have worked hard to secure a nature reserve for residents and visitors and a tranquil haven for wildlife.
“Children from Ysgol y Castell have also been involved in this exciting project, planting trees and shrubs, creating a wildlife meadow and butterfly glades. The children have worked hard and now they could possibly be damaged.”
A council spokesman said: “We are aware that there are travellers on the nature reserve site at Rhuddlan.
“There are national guidelines in place, issued by the Welsh Assembly Government that we must now follow.
“We will need to send education social workers and social services representatives to the location to assess the social welfare needs of individuals.
“Once this has taken place, there will be a meeting to identify what the next steps will be.”