A wildlife group which has turned many acres of former agricultural land in Yatton and Congresbury into wildlife rich nature reserves has celebrated its 10th birthday.

Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group (YACWAG) began in 1999 with just 12 trustees and now has a membership of more than 200.

The group, a registered charity, celebrated a decade of nature and wildlife conservation at a party, complete with birthday cake with 10 candles.

The group, led by chairman Tony Moulin, is planning events throughout 2009 to mark its anniversary year, including a bat walk and planting and conservation days.

Over the past decade, group members have raised more than £200,000 for local nature and conservation projects.

It bought sites at Congresbury Moor, Stowey Road and two on Kenn Moor.

Mr Moulin said: "We may be a relatively small group, but I like to think we have a big impact in the community."