WELNEY Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is celebrating the 10th annual World Wetlands Day today by offering free entry to visitors. With wetlands disappearing faster than forests, the day recognises how they protect settlements from floods and storms and the n

WELNEY Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is celebrating the 10th annual World Wetlands Day today by offering free entry to visitors.

With wetlands disappearing faster than forests, the day recognises how they protect settlements from floods and storms and the need to protect them.

Theme for World Wetlands Day this year is fisheries and activities at WWT Welney include family events such as fish making and decorating and games, along with other crafts and activities.

Throughout the day there will be talks by centre staff including one by Dr Ian Hirst, from the Environment Agency, covering the Great Ouse Vision. Self-guided trail, quizzes, an aquarium display and swan feeds, at noon, 3.30pm and a floodlit feed at 6.30pm are also part of the line-up.

In addition, staff and volunteers at WWT Welney are supporting World Wetlands Day by wearing their 'Wellies for Wetlands', and encouraging visitors and local schools to join in the fun.

World Wetlands Day has been celebrated on

February 2 every year for the past 10 years and marks the signing of the convention on wetlands on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar.