THE Avalon Marshes Project is appealing for votes after reaching the finals of the prestigious National Lottery Awards.

Competing against six others in the Best Environment Project category the Avalon Marshes project - a collaboration of several leading conservation organisations - saw off stiff competition from more than 1,300 organisations to reach the public voting stage in this year’s National Lottery Awards 2017.

The project with the most votes will be crowned the winner in their category and will receive a £5,000 cash prize to spend on their project, an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy, and will attend a star-studded glittering Awards ceremony to be broadcast on BBC One in September.

The Avalon Marshes includes meadows, woods, reed-beds and lakes, plus the mystical Isle of Avalon containing Glastonbury Tor. The wetlands are home to Marsh Harriers, Bitterns and Otters, while the area has 10,000 years of human history, giving it a rich archaeological heritage.

Over four years the project, with the support of the partners involved has helped conserve the unique landscape, heritage and wildlife of this wetland area in the heart of Somerset, attracting thousands of visitors and participants.

Tim Youngs, director of land management for Somerset Wildlife Trust, the host partner of the project, said: “We are delighted that the magical landscape of Avalon Marshes, Somerset has been nominated for a National Lottery Award and has reached the final public voting round.

“The Avalon Marshes project has conserved the landscape, heritage and wildlife of this unique piece of Somerset countryside, which holds international acclaim for its rare wetland birds, is steeped in a rich heritage and history, and encompasses the mystical Isle of Avalon.

"Visitor access to nature reserves has been enormously enhanced with new hides and trails, while National Lottery funding has benefited volunteers, schools, colleges, visitors, while training and engaging the local community.

"We really hope the public continue to support this project by voting for us as the UK’s Best Environment Project in the National Lottery Awards.”

To vote for Avalon Marshes Somerset, go to lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards or ring 0844 836 9684. Voting runs for four weeks from 9am on June 29 until midnight on July 27.