CELEBRITY wildlife presenter and naturalist Chris Packham was at a Fenland wildlife trust on Wednesday to officially open its new £3.5m visitor centre. Mr Packham was joined by a host of dignitaries and officials for the event, which marked the opening of

CELEBRITY wildlife presenter and naturalist Chris Packham was at a Fenland wildlife trust on Wednesday to officially open its new £3.5m visitor centre.

Mr Packham was joined by a host of dignitaries and officials for the event, which marked the opening of the environmentally friendly centre at the Wildfowl and Wetland's Trust's Welney reserve.

The new centre, which was opened to the public earlier in the year, has a range of hi tech green facilities along with a restaurant, shop, community room and 117 metre footbridge and purpose built education centre.

Mr Packham, a long-time supporter and friend of WWT, unveiled a commemorative plaque to celebrate the opening of the centre.

He said: "It is exciting that such a substantial sum has been raised for this important project. I've been coming to the WWT Welney for years and it is an amazing place.

"The new ecologically-built building highlights the importance of managing activities and natural resources sustainably, and further underlines WWT's valuable conservation work."

The centre took 10 months to build and used some of the latest environmentally friendly techniques, energy saving technology and renewable materials.

Martin Spray, chief executive of WWT, said: "Welney provides one of the most beautiful and aspiring wildlife spectacles in the UK. This amazing new centre will enable WWT to welcome more visitors to enjoy the experience and to learn about the history of the fens and their wonderful wildlife.