NESTLED in the heart of Redditch, tucked away behind trees and foliage is something quite remarkable - Ipsley Alders Marsh.

So astonishing that some volunteers believe people living nearby the spectacle, located between Mappleborough and Winyates, don’t even know it exists.

Recently Redditch MP Karen Lumley, unafraid of a little mud, donned her wellies and joined Advertiser reporter Liz Sharpe and reserves officer Andy Harris for a walkabout at the wildlife haven, which is currently competing against four other reserves for the title of BBC Countryfile’s Nature Reserve of the Year.

Redditch Advertiser:

Redditch MP Karen Lumley with reserves officer Andy Harris. 

“It is a fantastic wetlands and the people who use this place absolutely love it,” Mr Harris said.

“We have a number of volunteers that work here and they’re so passionate about this place, carrying out conservation and trying to keep the habitat open.

“It’s a beautiful site, we’re in the middle of Redditch and you come in here and you can’t see houses at all and there’s wildlife.

“This time of year, in the middle of winter it’s still sunny and you might come across a butterfly in the sky, a snipe in the marsh- a fantastic place.”

He added that he hoped taking part in competitions such as this one would help raise awareness of the nature reserve and therefore help to preserve them for future generations.

Redditch MP Karen Lumley said: “It’s a pleasure to be here, such a lovely peaceful place to come and I’m looking forward to coming back again later in year, when it’s a bit warmer.

“I’ve voted already for this site to win the award and I will be encouraging others on my website to do the same.

“It would be nice to see Redditch on the map once again for different things.

“I thoroughly recommend it as a beautiful countryside walk -right here in Redditch.

The marsh once sat in open countryside, but as the town of Redditch grew around it, 18 hectares were designated as a nature reserve in 1967, the reserve was bought by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust in 1985.

Spring water rises below much of the site ensuring parts are waterlogged all year round, while small numbers of cattle are on site for much of the year to maintain structural variety within the grassland marsh.

Some 170 species of plant that have been recorded at the site, while bird and insect life is abundant.

Members of the public have until Sunday, January 31 to cast their vote.

To vote for Ipsley Alders Marsh visit countryfile.com/awards2015-16.

Alternatively, send your vote by post to BBC Countryfile Magazine, Tower House, Bristol, BS13BN.

For more information about Ipsley Alders Marsh and the work of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust visit worcswildlifetrust.co.uk.