The release of beautiful butterflies marked the opening of a magical world of creepy crawlies and blossoming flowers in St Albans yesterday.

The Mayor of St Albans, Annie Brewster, officially opened the doors to Butterfly World, where visitors of all ages will be able to see, touch, learn and explore 27 acres of specially created habitats, tropical butterfly houses, wildflower meadows and designer gardens.

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

Butterfly World highlights for the 2014 season include a tropical butterfly house, ant world, an insect study centre, designer gardens,a wildflower meadow, and a children’s play area.

The city’s mayor said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be opening Butterfly World’s 2014 season this morning.  We have been a city of firsts since St Alban became the first British Christian Martyr and we are so proud, in the 21st century, also to pioneer the first dedicated butterfly centre of learning on this scale.

"Our newly refurbished butterfly house is stunning and provides a rare and beautiful insight into the world of the butterfly."

Louise Hawkins, butterfly expert at Butterfly World, added: "This season we will be focussing on educating our visitors about the life cycle of the butterfly and its extraordinary fragility and also about how to grow butterfly-attracting plants to increase the numbers of native butterflies into our gardens and outdoor spaces".