Sandscale Haws is a national nature reserve at Roanhead on the Duddon Estuary, which is managed by the National Trust.

The dune habitat supports a wealth of wildlife and rich flora. There are magnificent views from the site across the Duddon Estuary to the Lakeland Fells.

Over the years The Mail has produced numerous picture spreads focusing on sand sculpture events held at the reserve.

In 1992 young nature lovers spent a windy afternoon there, creating fun and monsters in the sand.

More than 70 people got together for a sand sculpture day organised by National Trust warden Peter Carty and is team of assistant wardens and Furness Watch, the young people’s nature group led by Val Holden.

“We had about 12 groups, manly families, making the sculptures,” said Mrs Holden.

“It was windy and there was a bit of rain but the kids really enjoyed it.

“They made some great sculptures, including a mermaid, an owl catching a rat, an octopus and a natterjack toad.”

She explained that activities for children had been held weekly at the site during the summer holidays.

Two years later, in 1993, The Mail reported how around 300 people had expressed an interest in the vacant post of Sandscale Haws nature warden.

More than 100 people had so far returned their application form, hoping to be chosen for the job.

Julie Harrison, the National Trust’s regional personnel secretary, said the organisation was delighted with the response.

“It’s proved very popular and it’s now just a case of whittling down the 127. We wanted someone with a nature conservation or botany background.”

The current warden, Peter Carty, was due to depart for a new post in the Seychelle Islands the following month.

The report mentioned that the site, between Barrow and Askam, was home to 15 per cent of the country’s natterjack toads. It also had more than 480 species of flower.