NORTHUMBERLAND Wildlife Trust has welcomed construction specialists Thompsons of Prudhoe as its latest gold category corporate supporter.

The family-owned business, which has been in operation for over 70 years, has a strong commitment to caring for the environment, the Trust said.

The wildlife charity has a number of nature reserves near Thompsons’ two Northumberland quarries and said they are delighted that at its Haughton Strother quarry near Simonburn, the company plans to allow the working area to gradually fill with ground water to form a large lake and bird sanctuary, with bird watching areas, to attract wading birds.

Elsewhere in the region, a recent Thompsons demolition job on a derelict building on Wallsend High Street had to be halted following the discovery of a large bee colony hidden away between the roof and a ceiling.

The bees were removed the following day and relocated to a hive in Northumberland where they started producing honey.

Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Chief executive, said: “I am thrilled to have Thompsons on board as one of our corporate supporters. Over the past 18 months, more people than ever before turned to nature for the sake of their mental health and wellbeing, so it is great to see a company which, as a major employer has to put business as a top priority, channelling so much energy into conserving wildlife and creating green spaces for people to enjoy. I hope other companies follow their example.”