VOLUNTEERS who helped to build a new visitors area at a historical Winchester water site have been praised for their hard work.

Twyford Waterworks Trust volunteers celebrated the official opening of the new ‘hide and story-telling’ building on Sunday (August 3) welcoming Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Eileen Berry.

The project aims to create a much-needed base for activities and was funded by grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Winchester City Council and Twyford Parish Council.

Trust chairman, Graham Feldwick, said: “It was fantastic to mark the occasion, not only to celebrate the abundant wildlife we have here, but also to mark the achievement of the volunteers who coordinated the project and those who funded it both in terms of time and money.

“We hope that this, as part of our Return To Steam project, will provide interest and education for many years to come.”

After a short walk around the site and nature trail Cllr Berry cut the ribbon and took the first step into the hide.

She praised the preservation work carried out by the Trust and the importance of the pumping station.

A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund has also allowed restoration to start with the engine and boilers due to return to steam in 2015.