Youngsters experienced a bug’s life at the annual Wildlife & Country Fair at Abberton Reservoir.

The Essex Wildlife Trust event on Saturday also saw the opening of two new bird hides overlooking the reservoir.

Island Hide was opened by Colchester mayor Colin Sykes, while the town’s MP, Sir Bob Russell, opened Gwen’s Hide, named after the late Gwen Young who volunteered for more than 20 years at the Abberton visitor centre. As well as minibeast hunting and pond dipping, other activities at the fair included a live birds of prey show and a bouncy castle.

Jo Wray, senior warden at the Abberton site, said: “Saturday was a fantastic day. We had about 800 visitors and it was great to see so many people, of all ages, enjoying our nature reserve and activities at the fair. We were really pleased with the opening of the hides. It was especially lovely to have so many of Gwen Young’s family with us to open Gwen’s Hide in her name.”