Volunteers are needed to help create a new British butterfly garden in Butterfly World by next spring.

The project will show visitors how to create beautiful gardens that attract British butterflies, giving tips and advice to budding gardeners. 

It is anticipated the new design will include formal planting schemes, short and long informal landscaped area, a "moth mount" and a caterpillar corner. 

Volunteers could be working with plants such as field scabious, hemp agrimony and knapweed that specifically attract local species of butterfly as well as more traditional shrubs and flowers.

Two thirds of the UK’s native butterflies are in decline due to habitat loss, changes in use of agricultural land and the breaking up of open spaces. 

Gardens, patios and small planted areas all form a natural bridge between built up and open areas allowing this fragile and declining species to move between them relatively easily, providing them with a place to eat and breed.  

Butterfly World’s head gardener Tim Kirk said: "At the moment the existing area is designed according to butterfly habitats, rather than its aesthetic appeal, which means it can get overlooked by visitors. We intend to make the new British Butterfly Garden a beautifully designed and landscaped garden that visitors will find visually stunning, proving that you can have an attractive garden both to gardeners and wildlife."  

Butterfly World already has an active volunteer programme with many opportunities from planting new gardens, surveying the wildlife on site or preparing pupae to giving talks, guided walks or photographing the insects.

Volunteers should call 01727 869203, email info@butterflyworldproject.com or visit www.butterflyworldproject.com to download an application form.