A SOUTH Essex nature reserve was chosen to appear in a popular television show.

Essex Wildlife Trust’s Thurrock Thameside Nature Park, in Mucking Wharf Road, Mucking, was featured on BBC Countryfile after presenter Sean Fletcher and a BBC crew visited the park in September for filming.

The program was about the River Thames and waterways.

Thurrock Thameside Nature Park is on the site of the former Mucking Landfill, which has been transformed into the park by landfill company Cory Environmental and Essex Wildlife Trust.

The nature park was officially opened in 2013 by Sir David Attenborough, who declared the site a “miracle for us all”.

Charlie Oliver, from Essex Wildlife Trust, was interviewed at the Trust’s Cory Environmental Trust Visitor Centre.

He talked about the general history and beauty of the nature park, and joined Mr Fletcher to gather hay. He explained why hay is cut and collected to ensure the areas of soil remaining have low nutrient levels, which will encourage rare wild flowers, such as the Bee Orchid, to grow the following year.

Mr Fletcher also met with Matthew McGettigan, ranger at the nature park, and other park volunteers to help herd cattle from one field to another.

The cattle carry out vital grassland management for the Trust, through grazing.

Marc Outten, Essex Wildlife Trust’s Reserves Manager, who was interviewed about the range of wading birds that visit the reserve marshes, including the avocet and curlew, said it was a great opportunity for the site to be featured in the TV show.

He said: “I think the whole team enjoyed the experience and chance to remind people who the reserve is a special place and somewhere for us and the people of Thurrock to be proud of.

“It was do very good work at the charity and working with different groups and people helps that work.”

Andrew Impey, Essex Wildlife Trust’s chief executive, said the charity was absolutely delighted to welcome Countryfile to the park.

He added: “The park looked absolutely stunning and I thought it was an excellent, informative film.

“Thank you to all involved, especially our fabulous volunteers, who help us to run this remarkable site beside the Thames.”