A FILM-maker from Redditch has produced a unique two-minute video to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

Working with Worcestershire Biological Records Centre, the Trust identified 9,935 individual species of wildlife have been sighted on their nature reserves over the last 50 years.

To demonstrate the vast number of species of wildlife spotted, Redditch undergraduate Emily Brazier produced a video using images of wildlife taken by local snappers.

Wendy Carter, communications lead for the Trust, said: “The last 50 years have been really exciting for the Trust.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our members and supporters for their help in protecting Worcestershire’s wildlife.

“We now protect almost 100 parcels of land right across Worcestershire and, as the video goes some way to demonstrate, this also means that we’re protecting the wild plants and wildlife that make their homes there – from beetles and birds to oaks and orchids.

“It’s fantastic that 9935 species have been recorded on our nature reserves. It shows that not only are our reserves great for wildlife but that there is also an army of dedicated people out there who report what they see, which helps us to better manage our land for wildlife.”

The Trust, which is the county’s largest nature conservation charity, formed in March 1968 when it split from the regional West Midlands Trust for Nature Conservation.

At its formation, the Trust had just 400 members, but it now has more than 23,000 members and is also supported by a team of 400 volunteers.

It now runs more than 75 nature reserves throughout Worcestershire, including Upton Warren, Piper’s Hill and Dodderhill Commons in Hanbury, Feckenham Wylde Moor, and Ipsley Alders in Redditch.

Wendy added: “We’ve achieved some fantastic things during the last 50 years, from playing a significant role in the return of otters to inspiring 4000 children about our natural world each year through our school programmes and family activities.

“We couldn’t have done this without support from our members and the public.”