The Trust hopes otters will move down river onto the site

Discussions are taking place with the company which has been extracting gravel on the 250-acre site to allow it to be turned into a nature reserve.

The Trust wants to build a nature sanctuary with a visitor centre, shop and educational facilities.

It has applied for �2.5m of European and local funding.

Ancient woodland

The proposed reserve site is next to junction 31 of the M6 and accessible by public transport.

It will become a natural stopping-off point for tourists and an information hub for the whole area.

The Trust, formed in 1962 to help protect the wildlife of the old Lancashire county, said Brockholes has developed naturally into a nationally important place for birds.

The site adjoins an area of ancient woodland that is already managed by the Trust.

Tim Mitcham, the Trust's head of conservation, said "We intend to have staff and volunteers on site to guide people around the bird-watching hides.

"We also hope to encourage badgers to come from the adjoining woodlands and otters to move down river onto the site."