The number of declared local nature reserves will nearly triple in one location.

At present Maidstone has just three: Vinters Valley Park (declared a Local Nature Reserve in 1993), Boxley Warren (declared in 2005) and the River Len (declared in 2014).

However, after passing a detailed evaluation and feasibility assessment five new local nature reserves are to be declared.

They are at the Fant Wildlife Area, Allington Millennium Green, Weavering Heath with Five Acre and Wents Wood, Hayle Park in Tovil and at Spot Lane.

Local nature reserves are a statutory designation made under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

They are places with wildlife or geological features that are of special interest locally and are a natural resource which makes an important contribution to England’s biodiversity.

To become an official reserve, the park has to have a management plan approved by both the council and Natural England.

Two of the sites, Hayle Park and Spot Lane, are still awaiting the final seal of approval from Natural England.

The chairman of trustees at Hayle Park Nature Reserve, Paul Wilby, said: "It's been a long process. We were first put forward five years ago.

"But we're excited that Hayle Park will finally get national recognition."

Formal accreditation as a local nature reserve both gives the land increased protection from future development and opens the way to greater access to funding grants.

The Walnut Tree Meadows Nature Reserve, off Farleigh Hill, which is also managed by the Hayle Park Nature Reserve Trust, will not be included in the new categorisation.