[06 Sep 2006]

The site of a former top-secret munitions complex in Wales has been converted into a nature reserve.

Now derelict, the munitions site at Rhydymwyn, near Mold in Flintshire was the home of Operation Tube Alloys, where the results of atomic bomb development were analysed.

It was also used to manufacture hundreds of tons of mustard gas during the second world war.

However, since 2003 the site has been open to the public on a limited basis. But now it has been converted into a nature reserve with the construction of badger and bird hides to allow visitors to observe the wildlife at the mile-long complex.

The site has now been formerly handed over to North East Wales Wildlife, who have take over responsibility for the ecology of the site from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Pippa Perry, of North East Wales Wildlife, was quoted by the BBC saying: "We are delighted to be formally given responsibility for the wildlife at the site and for working with the public and the local community to raise awareness of the hugely diverse wildlife at the site."

In addition to birds and badgers the site is also home to owls, grass snakes, lizards and bats.