SOUTH West Lakes Trust launched the refurbished Old Pumphouse at Lopwell Dam with the annual Volunteer Awards recently.

The new developments were funded by the Rural Development Programme for England and have been a great success, giving locals and tourists the opportunity to become more active.

Chairman of South West Lakes Trust Keith Bungay opened the refurbished pump house event and expressed thanks to the funders, supporters and Friends of the trust, especially Tamsin Blaikie, a volunteer who has helped look after Lopwell for many years.

Guests at the event included Mayor of West Devon Donald Horn, Rob Hatt and Mike Johns from DEFRA, the organisation that helped fund the project.

In the morning Neil Reeves, conservation officer, lead a guided tour for the guests in the local nature reserve.

Lopwell Dam on the upper tidal mark of the River Tavy is an ideal site for bird watching and walking.

The area consists of several different habitats, including mud flats, fresh water marsh, wildflower meadow, scrub-grassland, saltmarsh and semi-natural woodland.

The area is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

in the afternoon, trustee Jacqui Edwards presented the volunteer awards.

The trust acknowledges the invaluable help of volunteers every year with awards for the most dedicated volunteers.

Evelyn Stacey, director of the trust, said: 'Volunteers are the backbone of every charity, the trust is so lucky to have such a dedicated volunteer team.

'Volunteers contributed last year with 3,669 days and in return 232 volunteer training days.'