ONE of the finest wild flower meadow reserves in Britain has been opened to the public.

New Grove Meadows reserve, situated north of Trellech on the B4293, is packed full of cowslips, early purple orchids and endangered dormice.

Two of the four fields at the reserve are "unimproved grassland", which means they have never been damaged by intensive farming and are rare survivors of ancient flower-rich grassland.

Monmouth AM David Davies officially opened the reserve.

Gwent Wildlife Trust chief executive Julian Branscombe said: "These meadows are one of Wales' finest treasures. For too long they have been kept a secret.

"Now they are open for all to enjoy. There is no more inspirational site than these fields full of flowers.

"They remind me it is great to be alive. Gwent is a very special place, because we still have gems like these."