Attenborough Nature Reserve will use the money to improve facilities and access to its lakes and islands.

The money comes from a tax placed on quarrying firms designed to lessen their environmental impact.

The money will be spent on a new bridge, extended pathways and better disabled access.

The reserve is still a working quarry

Attenborough was set up in 1966 and the flooded gravel pits cover an area of 240 acres.

The site is home to around 250 species of birds and attracts 100,000 visitors a year.

The tax charges quarrying companies for every ton of stone and gravel they extract and is expected to raise more than £350 million a year.

Attenborough is one of the first nature reserves in the country to be given some of this money.

The local council hopes the money will enhance the area for all.

Larry McDonald of Broxtowe Borough Council said: "It is classed as a Special Site of Scientific Interest and is protected that way.

"What we are now trying to do is make sure people have access to that while at the same time ensuring the birds that come here can do so without interference from the public."

Improvement work is expected to begin in the next few weeks and should be finished by next April.