A rare bog near Builth Wells will have major restoration work as part of a four-year multimillion pound conservation project.

Rhosgoch National Nature Reserve will have work such as rewetting, cutting invasive species and removing scrub later on this year.

It's part of Natural Resources Wales' (NRW) £4 million New LIFE for Welsh Raised Bogs project that will restore 900 hectares (3.5 square miles) of seven of the most important raised bogs in Wales.

Restoration work will also take place at sites near Trawsfynydd, Fishguard, Crosshands, Crickhowell and Cors Fochno and Cors Caron in Ceredigion.

NRW staff, partner organisations, local landowners and others met at Cors Fochno in Ceredigion on September 5 to discuss the conservation work which will start later this year.

Raised bogs get their name because of their dome shape and they are areas of peat that have built up over 12,000 years and can be as deep as 12 metres.

The rare habitats have been altered by centuries of peat cutting and drainage.

NRW says with European Union LIFE funding, they can work with others to improve their condition so that Welsh raised bogs continue to create new peat and lock in more carbon.

They hope the work will continue long after the project and will have a positive impact for generations to come.

Carol Fielding, NRW Project Manager said: “To some, a bog may appear rather dull and unimportant. But the complete opposite is true. A healthy bog brings great benefits to wildlife and people.

“They are home to rare plants and animals, including the large-heath butterfly and the iconic bog rosemary. Restoration will help fight climate change by storing vast amounts of carbon and improving water quality in local rivers. And they’re great places to visit to enjoy nature and the benefits of being active outdoors.”