The area was also at risk of intensive commercial forestry or the installation of wind turbines which could have damaged the sensitive areas.

However, now the site is the wildlife charity’s newest nature reserse, it’s time for the public to have their say on its future at a consultation event on Thursday 1 August at Elsdon Village Hall in Northumberland.

Between 7:00pm and 9:00pm, wildlife lovers - either local or from further afield - will be able to drop-in and find out more about the ambitious plans for the site as well as have their say on what they would and wouldn’t like to see happen.

The Trust is particularly keen to gather opinions on what type and degree of access people would like.

For further details visit: www.nwt.org.uk/events/2019-08-01-benshaw-moor-its-future-northumberland-wildlife-trust.

In April, a month-long public appeal raised over £75,000 and was added to a considerable amount of money from charitable trusts, businesses, private donations and a bequest by the late George Swan, emeritus professor of organic chemistry at Newcastle University. The bequest was specified for use in buying a site of botanical importance.