A NATIONALLY important treasure that was in danger of being lost is set to be preserved after supporters raised enough for a £50,000 deposit in the space of a few weeks.

The wildflower hay meadows at Morningside Farm near Royal Wootton Bassett, described as a glimpse of paradise, were put up for sale with at £450,000.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust offered to buy them over two years, but needed to raise the deposit by the end of November so it launched an urgent appeal.

“There has been an incredible response to the appeal by our supporters. We would like to give a big thank you to everyone who has contributed,” chief executive Dr Gary Mantle said.

“We can begin the legal process to buy the land as a both a haven for local wildlife and as a place for people to enjoy, for generations to come.”

The final £15,000 came from writer and businessman Paul Goodenough, who said: “Rewilding and creating breathing spaces for nature is essential, not only for wildlife, but for humankind too.

“I couldn't sit idly by and wait for it to be someone else's problem, or responsibility, because it is my problem and responsibility and it's groups like Wiltshire Wildlife Trust that inspire us all to reverse the decline of wildlife in the UK.

“So given the choice between spending the money on something self-fulfilling like a new car, or supporting the appeal and saving lives, it really was a no brainer."

The trust, which has similar species-rich meadows at Lower Moor Farm and Clattinger Farm near Oaksey that provide green hay to improve and recreate wildflower grasslands, now has just under two years to raise the balance of the money and plans to apply for grants from other bodies.

Despite their national importance, the meadows between Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett have no legal protection, which is one of the reasons the trust was keen to save them. The 25-hectare site was also advertised as suitable for equestrian use, which could have ruined them.

Among the species found in the fields are large areas of ladies bedstraw, Birds foot trefoil and meadowsweet along with betony, knapweed and meadow cranesbill. There are just 1,500 hectares of meadows like them left in Great Britain.

The route of the Wilts and Berks Canal runs through the fields which had no legal protection even though they were designated a county wildlife site and nominated for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Coronation Meadows scheme.

More information about the appeal can be seen online at wiltshirewildlife.org/morningsideappeal