IT was once earmarked for a housing development – but now a Southampton park has been declared the city’s newest nature reserve.

And it’s all thanks to nature enthusiasts who fought to save Millers Pond at the Sholing Valley study centre in Southampton.

Hundreds of community members, civic chiefs and MP John Denham attended a celebration event to mark the status of the pond – which is a haven for insects, birds and small animals – which is now protected from development.

Southampton-raised TV wildlife presenter Chris Packham, a patron of the centre, said he was delighted Millers Pond has been officially recognised.

He said: “I spent many hours as a youngster exploring the area and its wildlife.

“It’s great to see that with its official nature reserve status, Millers Pond will be protected for future generations.”