FACILITIES at nature reserve Swanwick Lakes have been significantly improved thanks to help from two organisations, Amey and Lockhams Construction.

After 20 years of use, the pathways at Swanwick Lakes, a popular reserve run by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, had become worn and difficult to use.

But work done by a team of 16 now ensures that visitors can fully access the facilities, after a group led by Chris Lucie from Amey and Conrad Collins from Lockhams prepared and then laid more than 400 square metres of tarmac pathways.

The nature reserve includes scenic lakes, woods and grassland, created by nature from abandoned clay workings.

It provides a valuable space for people to relax and learn about wildlife and is regularly used by schools and charities.

Dawn Preston from Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust said: “We’re delighted with all the work that Amey and Lockhams have done.

“The work has been a real success and there will be a huge improvement in our visitors’ experience of the lakes for many years to come.”

Every Amey employee can spend a day volunteering with a charity or community group of their choice as part of its community engagement programme.

More than 60 per cent of Amey’s local workforce in Hampshire has used their day during 2015 to make a difference to the local community.

David Fawcett, customer services manager for Hampshire Highways with Amey, said: “Our employees always enjoy taking part in community projects and this activity in particular has proved very rewarding for all those involved. ”

Conrad Collins from Lockhams said: “The team enjoyed working together, and using their skills to make a real difference to this well-loved area, and we’re delighted to have made such a visible improvement to the Lakes”

At the completion of the works the teams were thanked by Dawn and Cllr Sean Woodward at a celebration event held at the centre.