NATIONAL Lottery players will be offered free entry to the RSPB's Leighton Moss reserve from December 3-9.

The scheme is part of the nationwide #ThanksToYou campaign in which hundreds of attractions are throwing open their doors to the public as a way of saying thanks to them for buying a lottery ticket and thereby helping to fund improved visitor facilities.

Any visitor who presents a National Lottery ticket or scratchcard between those dates gets free entry subject to terms and conditions.

Leighton Moss received £370,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2012, which, along with additional funding from others allowed the creation of a sensory garden, Skytower viewing platform, boardwalk and the replacement of five hides.