IT'S been a long time coming - but finally Hampshire has welcomed its newest resident.

When the Small Red-eyed Damselfly began to settle on the Isle of Wight two years ago, wildlife lovers have been eagerly awaiting its arrival across the Solent.

Now its first official sighting has been recorded at a nature reserve in Bursledon.

The distinctive damselfly, which hails from Europe, was first discovered in the UK in Essex, in 1999 and spread to several neighbouring counties.

John Horne, who owns the private Old Bursledon Nature Reserve, spotted the two-inch insect last week hovering above a pond in the eight-acre site.

After managing to capture one of the creatures, he called in wildlife experts who confirmed it was the first official sighting in the county.

Mr Horne, 58, who has owned the reserve since 1987, said: "When it was found on the Isle of Wight two years ago it was expected to reach here quickly.

"I first saw it flying a little differently close to the surface and so I grabbed my binoculars and I saw that it had red eyes.

"It had looked the same as other species here until I saw the colour of its eyes.

"When you think how big Hampshire is and the fact this is only a small, private nature reserve, to be the first to find it is fantastic. I am very excited."

The reserve already boasts six species of Warblers, 18 breeds of dragonflies and 24 species of butterfly.

John Taverner, who has been studying wildlife in the county for 50 years and confirmed the sighting, said: "We have always thought that if they are in Essex and the Isle of Wight they must be in Hampshire too but we have been searching for some time without any luck."

People can visit the reserve by calling 023 8040 2929.