麻豆社

Natural England wants to expand the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve in Shropshire to 11 times its current size.

Bosses hope to incorporate surrounding land and make the area bigger to help soak up carbon and reduce flooding downstream.

Some residents welcomed the idea while others expressed fears over more red tape.

A consultation event held at nearby Snailbeach village hall on Wednesday was well-attended.

Some locals gave a cautious welcome while others said they were looking forward to finding out more.

The expansion would take the reserve from 2 sq miles (500 hectares) to 22 sq miles.

It would incorporate land owned by Shropshire Council and Shropshire Wildlife Trust among others.