A nature reserve has been officially opened by the Bermuda National Trust with a ceremony attended by the Governor Sir Richard Gozney and his wife Lady Gozney.

The Higgs Nature Reserve, in Warwick, was left to the Trust by the late Gloria Higgs in 1984, and has since been transformed by the family of the late Sir John 'Jack' Sharpe.

The main attraction of the park is Jack's Pond, named for Sir John. Designed by former Government Conservation Officer David Wingate, it preserves a portion of the original peat marsh with a habitat for rare flowers.

Trust president Bill Holmes said at the opening: "The restoration was a family affair with members of Sir John's family planting native plants and spreading grass seed resulting in the flourishing reserve seen today."

Lady Sharpe unveiled a plaque in memory of her husband and said: "The best way we can help to preserve and protect areas such as Higgs Nature Reserve is to support the Bermuda National Trust."

Sir Richard thanked Lady Sharpe and her family for their donation and their commitment to protecting Bermuda's open spaces.