NATURE lovers in Devon gave an alternative gift for Valentine's Day – not content with a bunch of roses, many opted for a whole acre of wildflowers at Meeth Quarry.

The quarry is now a 370-acre wildlife haven and is Devon Wildlife Trust's newest site. The trust has given supporters the chance to 'Adopt an Acre' of the reserve as part of an appeal for funds to improve the recovering industrial landscape for wildlife. More than 95 acres have been 'adopted' so far, many as gifts for a loved one.

Joyce and Ernie Dignam of Barnstaple are among those to adopt an acre. Joyce said: 'We would like to be able to buy a whole nature reserve for Devon Wildlife Trust but that is out of the question. The next best thing is to adopt a share of one.'

The Adopt an Acre package includes a map showing the location of the chosen acre as well as a certificate of adoption illustrated with an image of Meeth Quarry at its most colourful.

The former mining and quarrying at the site created a very diverse landscape, making it ideal for conversion to a nature reserve. Dominated by two large lakes and mounds of clay spoil, the quarry also features ponds, woodland, bogs and grassland. Together these make the reserve a home for a diverse array of plants and animals including brown hare, willow tit and many species of butterflies, dragonflies and orchids.

The diversity of Meeth Quarry extends to the Adopt an Acre offer, with an option to adopt an area of woodland, grassland or open water. James Wilson, one of the acre adopters, said: 'I chose a grassland acre as I understand this is a very valuable habitat for flowers, birds and insects alike. I look forward to visiting again in the summer months to see for myself the abundance described so eloquently on our guided walk.'