BINOCULARS at the ready - thanks to a concerted community effort, a popular bird hide has reopened.

The hide and walkway at Alverstone Mead nature reserve was closed in March as it had started to rot and sink into the mud.

Volunteers pitched in to help rebuild it, including a team from Scottish and Southern Energy. The work was funded by a Down to the Coast grant and individual donations.

Warden Terry Guildford said: "A lot of people come to Alverstone Mead.

"It's a peaceful spot and there is a lot of wildlife, including red squirrels and maybe 40 to 50 bird species. We have egrets and herons, woodpeckers and kingfishers, and people like to take pictures of those."

The lookout was originally built around two decades ago by volunteers, led by the late Bernard Thearle - indeed, the bird hide still bears his name - and former warden John Ralph.

The nature reserve is one of several sites around the Island, including Mill Copse, Yarmouth, and Pelham Woods, St Lawrence, managed by the Wight Nature Fund.