National Lottery players are in for an early Christmas present as WWT Slimbridge is offering them 2 for 1 admission from December 11 to 15.

The wetland centre is running the offer to say thanks for the over £10 million the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) has received from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) over the past 20 years.

Players just have to present a National Lottery ticket or scratchcard at Slimbridge, or any of the other eight WWT wetland centres across the UK, to get 2 for 1 entry (with a full paying adult) to get close to fascinating animals, learn about amazing habitats, enjoy unique winter wildlife spectacles and lots more.

The support from National Lottery players has contributed hugely in enabling WWT to continue their charity work to conserve, restore and create wetlands, save wetland wildlife, and inspire everyone to value the amazing things healthy wetlands achieve for people and nature.

HLF funded projects have helped WWT create new wetland habitat, build accessible hides, run education projects, open new visitor centres and most recently HLF have donated £4.4m towards the 'Slimbridge 2020' project at Slimbridge Wetland Centre.

Ros Kerslake, chief executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "December is a wonderful time to experience the UK's rich, diverse and exciting heritage, which has been transformed by more than £7bn National Lottery funding since 1994.

"This is a small gesture of thanks and a way of giving something back to the people who buy tickets."

Chris Foster, WWT Slimbridge general manager, said: "We're grateful to be able to say a big thank you to National Lottery players who have helped us ensure that healthy wetland nature thrives and enriches lives here and around the world.

"We're really looking forward to welcoming players to Slimbridge and hope they'll enjoy exploring our beautiful reserve and meeting our amazing wildlife up close, getting a taste of how they've contributed to our work.

"The offer takes place during winter, our most spectacular time of year. Players visiting can experience the iconic Bewick's swans, fresh from their migration from the Arctic tundra, enjoying daily feeds with a host of other wildfowl."

To find out more and plan your day at WWT Slimbridge visit https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/ 

For further information about this offer, please go to: www.wwt.org.uk/2for1thankyou 

Picture captions: Top, a Bewick's swan at Slimbridge. Picture by Steve Nicholls. Below: An otter. Pictures courtesy WWT.