Twelve volunteers spent four days last week, removing invasive non-native species from the sand dunes to prevent them from spreading and damaging the dune’s native species and habitats.

The work on the reserve, situated between Beadnell and Seahouses, is part of an ongoing management plan to keep invasive flowers such as Japanese rose, martagon lily and Spanish bluebells under control.

If left to take over, the invasive plants will smother flowers such as pyramidal orchid, hound’s tongue, birdsfoot trefoil and common restharrow - all of which are vital food sources for butterflies and other wildlife.

Annstead Dunes is an important wildlife haven, with the foreshore beach and Annstead Rocks providing an important site for wading birds.

The England Coastal Cycle Path passes through the reserve with thousands of visitors experiencing its splendour each year.