Visitors to Dawlish Warren nature reserve can now watch wildlife from a new viewing platform overlooking the pond near the visitor centre.

It has a bench to sit on and full wheelchair access, and was funded by the family of one of the reserve's longest serving volunteers who had been a regular birdwatcher there.

Dawlish Warren Countryside Rangers started building the platform in September last year, but work was delayed by wet weather in the autumn and winter, and then by the bird breeding season and the coronavirus lockdown.

The project was finally finished last month, complete with an interpretation board funded by the Dawlish Coasters running club.

Senior ranger Phil Chambers said the platform will provide an opportunity to view wildlife throughout the year.

Kingfishers, dragonflies, waterfowl

He said: "At the moment it is possible to see the last of the summer's dragonflies with the migrant hawker and common darter still on the wing, as well as kingfishers and water rails, as well as ducks such as the teal or shoveler, and if you are lucky, rare water voles.

"In the summer the pond and its reedbeds are used by the breeding reed warbler,little grebe and reed bunting, while emperor dragonflies and small red-eyed damselflies breed here."