The six employees, from the energy company's offices in Worthing, spent the day clearing scrubland at Burton Pond, just south of Petworth, to make way for moss and heather that will encourage rare invertebrates like the Cone Dragonfly and mud snail.

The volunteers who carried out the work at the 138-acre Sussex Wildlife Trust site all work in communications, IT and customer services at EDF Energy's base at Worthing.

Their main task was to restore a small area of heathland that had become overgrown with bracken and birch, which was shading the vegetation which the dragonfly and snail thrive on.

EDF Energy process analyst Catherine Wilson said: "EDF Energy supports a range of local environmental causes and we're delighted to be able to help the Sussex Wildlife Trust.

"We are pulling out all the stops to clear the scrubland to create an ideal environment to encourage all sorts of insects."

The volunteers were all involved in the restoration work at Burton Pond through EDF Energy's Helping Hands scheme, where staff can use at least two days of company time each year to help support the local communities the company services.

Michael Edmonds, the business development officer for the Sussex Wildlife Trust, said: "Like many charities we are under-resourced and the support of volunteers for practical work is essential to enable us to carry out our vital conservation work.

"Volunteering also enables people to experience first-hand a small part of life at the Sussex Wildlife Trust and increase awareness of our charity and why we need support."


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