Sir David Attenborough thanks public as 9,500-acre Rothbury Estate in Northumberland is bought for nature
Conservationists have completed the purchase after two years of fundraising
Sir David Attenborough has thanked the public after conservationists secured the largest land purchase in England for decades.
The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust have confirmed they have bought the Rothbury Estate in Northumberland, a 9,500-acre moorland estate.
The estate was valued at £30 million, and the purchase follows two years of fundraising.
The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust plan to introduce wildlife-friendly farming and restore peat bogs across the estate.
The area is comparable in size to Athens.
Sir David, president emeritus of The Wildlife Trusts, supported the campaign and urged members of the public to help raise the necessary funds.
He said: "The Wildlife Trusts asked for your support and thousands of you responded.
"The campaign to protect the future of the Rothbury Estate in Northumberland has been successful, meaning the vision of a landscape where people and nature thrive together can now become a reality.
"This will be a place where nature, communities, farming and heritage come together to create something truly special for future generations.
"Thank you very much."
How the purchase was funded
Sir David's endorsement helped generate more than £1 million in donations within seven days during the early stages of the campaign.
More than 25,000 individuals across 50 countries contributed donations, raising £17 million from public support.
The project also received approximately £1.9 million in Government funding through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
A further £5 million came from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
What happens next
Parts of the estate have already been acquired.
Initial projects are now underway to survey its wildlife, landscapes and historical features.
Sir David has previously celebrated the remote estate, where visitors can explore rugged rocky outcrops and discover prehistoric rock carvings.