PLANS for the creation of an extended £38m Great North Fen on County Durham countryside have been described as “exciting” during a ceremony to launch the ambitious scheme.

The Great North Fen, the creation and restoration of fenland along the banks of the River Skerne to the east of Newton Aycliffe, was originally intended to cover 500 hectares when the plans were first mooted in 2018.

However, Jim Cokill, director of Durham Wildlife Trust, told a gathering of funders, partners, and other supporters at Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield, that the project was being increased to 850 acres.