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King Charles III's coronation marked by nature reserves announcement

John-Kelly/Getty Images A section of the Lincolnshire coast at MablethorpeJohn-Kelly/Getty Images
Lincolnshire's new national nature reserve contains a "wonderful variety" of features for wildlife, Natural England said

The first in a series of new national nature reserves to mark the coronation has been revealed.

Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve will be formally declared this summer.

Somerset's Mendip Hills, Moccas Park in Herefordshire, Ingleborough in North Yorkshire and Lullington in East Sussex are also due to be confirmed this year.

Natural England said the reserves would "leave a lasting public legacy for people and nature".

James Osmond/Getty Images View of Crook Peak from Wavering Down in the Mendip Hills in Spring, SomersetJames Osmond/Getty Images
The Mendip Hills are expected to be announced in the next tranche of national reserves to be formally created

The 'King's Series of National Nature Reserves' plan is expected to see five major sites named every year for the next five years.

Lincolnshire's reserve will cover an area of 21 sq miles (54 sq km).

'Jewels in the crown'

Natural England said the area contained "a wonderful variety" of sand dunes, saltmarsh, mudflats and freshwater marshes, which support animal and plant life.

The organisation's chair Tony Juniper said King Charles III had been "at the forefront" of ecological discussions for more than five decades.

He said: "The National Nature Reserves are the jewels in the crown of England's nature and they are there for wildlife and people alike.

"The first one in this new series will be a very substantial area of protected habitat on the Lincolnshire coast, through which a section of the England Coast Path will soon be opened by Natural England.

Michael Honor/Getty Images The Yorkshire Dales mountain of Ingleborough with limestone and a tree in the foregroundMichael Honor/Getty Images
Ingleborough, one of Yorkshire's Three Peaks, is likely to be named in future listings

"National Nature Reserves are the most important places for nature in England and provide significant benefits for nature conservation, science and people."

During Queen Elizabeth II's reign, 221 national nature reserves were declared.

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