Hunt on for 'exceptional' new manager of Cornwall's Looe Island

The hunt is on for a new manager to care for a wildlife reserve on a Cornish island.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust said it was is recruiting for the post on Looe Island in the Whitsand and Looe Bay Marine Conservation Area.

Visitors are only allowed in organised trips and the island has Cornwall's largest breeding colony of the great black-backed gull, as well as being home to grey seals.

The trust said it was looking for an "exceptional" person and the job, with an application closing date of Sunday 15 November, offered "an opportunity to combine your passion for conservation with practical leadership, people management and a flair for creating a truly special visitor experience".

Accommodation was provided for the manager and the role included caring for wildlife, leading a team of volunteers and welcoming visitors, the trust added.

Looe Island was given to the wildlife trust in 2004 by sisters Babs and Evelyn Atkins, who lived there and wrote two books about island life.

It was also known as St George's Island during World War Two.

It sits one mile (1.6km) off Looe and covers just over 22 acres (8.9 hectares) , including woodland, grassland, shingle and a rocky reef teaming with wildlife.

The trust said: "The island is a sensitive habitat and provides important sanctuary for marine life, seabirds and other coastal species. Nesting birds include cormorants, shags and oystercatchers.

"There are a mix of habitats which, in such a small space, means it provides a really important space for wildlife."

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