STAFF at a Weymouth nature reserve are counting the cost after floodwater decimated wildlife and damaged a newly-refurbished visitor centre.

The RSPB’s state-of-the-art Wild Weymouth Discovery Centre in the Swannery car park was swamped by a metre of water when Radipole Lake burst its banks following an intense bout of rain.

Devastated staff left to clear up the mess say they have been heartened by the response from people who have offered to help.

The deluge also destroyed nests on the reserve including the young of marsh harriers, which were the first breeding pair in the county for years.

Fortunately, young harriers born on the RSPB’s other reserve at Lodmoor flew the nest just before the rain came.

The discovery centre was officially opened in May in a ceremony attended by South Dorset MP Richard Drax and local schoolchildren.

It underwent a major refurbishment for the Olympics to become a dedicated information and advice point.

Weymouth Wetlands information officer Luke Phillips said: “The centre was one metre underwater on Sunday.

“It’s completely sodden inside although structurally everything is fine.”

Mr Phillips said the visitor centre would reopen as soon as possible, hopefully in time for the Olympics.