A PROJECT to turn former grazing land into saltmarsh will be the first of its kind on the Isle of Wight.

A Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) grant is funding work to create the inter-tidal habitat at Little Thorness Farm.

Much of the land became useless for grazing after poisonous hemlock plants took root, resulting in the deaths of cattle.

Now seawater will be allowed on to part of the plot, encouraging salt-loving plants to thrive. Higher up there will be a brackish area with sweet grasses, which will attract wildfowl and wading birds. The remaining land will once more be safe for grazing.