More volunteers are needed to help look after a hidden nature reserve just minutes from Swindon town centre.

Owned by Swindon Borough Council and operated by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Rivermead Community Nature Reserve opened in the mid-2000s. The site stretches across an area equivalent to around seven football pitches and is bordered by Great Western Way and the Swindon sewage treatment works.

The reserve's opening came after two years of work to restore the once-polluted River Ray and recreate wildlife-rich water meadow. A decade on, the nature reserve is home to rare water voles, orchids and grass snakes.

A dozen volunteers currently give up to a day of their time every week to keep the nature reserve in top condition for the wildlife that calls it home.

But, says volunteer warden Gordon Shaw, more volunteers are needed to help with day-to-day management of the reserve and tackle the invasive plants like white poplar that threaten to suck the water meadow dry.

“People think that you can leave reserves like this,” said Gordon, 70. “But the countryside needs to be managed. Otherwise, eventually this meadow would turn to brash.”

Currently, volunteers meet at Rivermead on a Thursday – carrying out tasks ranging from cutting back paths to creating hedges from dead branches.

Now, to make it easier for others to get involved, Gordon plans to start a Saturday volunteer group.

Volunteering at the reserve is a good way to meet others and keep fit, he said: “Instead of paying 30-odd quid on the gym, spend a day in the green gym with us and you’ll have so much more fun."

Janet Wiltshire, 78, from Wanborough, has been volunteering at the reserve for seven years. “It’s never dull,” she said. “Every day is different and you make a difference. All the pressures of life lift when you’re here.”

Mike Newton, 63, works as a ranger at Lydiard Park – and on his Thursdays off volunteers at Rivermead. The dad-of-three, who used to rescue badgers and vividly recalls cubs biting his arm, said: “I’m just passionate about wildlife and passing on my knowledge.”

On Saturday volunteers threw open the gates to the reserve – putting on tours and displays as part of Meadows Day, a national celebration organised by charity Plantlife.

One family of five, who spotted a slow worm on an afternoon tour of the site, said that they planned to return as volunteers.

Mum-of-three Natalie Harris, 37, said: “They’ll come back. It’s nice for the kids and it’ll give them something to do.”

For more information about volunteering at Rivermead contact volunteer warden Gordon Shaw: gordy.grs65@hotmail.com.