Campaigners fighting for Butterfly World to reopen believe there is a way forward after more than 50,000 people pledged their support.

The closure of the Chiswell Green attraction was announced in December last year and, just six weeks later, a Save Butterfly World petition has amassed 50,000 signatures, showing worldwide support for the conservation project.

The decision to close the sanctuary was made by Butterfly World Project Ltd it at the end of last year amid falling visitor numbers and a failed bid to secure funding to build a giant dome to house 10,000 butterflies.

The centre’s plans included giant Maya ruins based on archaeological sites in Belize and Mexico.

John Breheny, chairman of Butterfly World Project Ltd, announced at the time that in spite of the efforts of its dedicated team of staff and volunteers in improving the visitor experience and driving visitor numbers up, year on year, the level of trading losses could only be sustainable if the necessary funding materialised for the biome.

Sally Cornish, marketing and admin manager at Butterfly World Project Ltd, described the support from the public, and indeed from around the world, as exceptional.

Ms Cornish said: “It is a consolation to the team knowing that Butterfly World provided so much to so many people.

But she said: “As things stand, there is no change to the situation, and processes are going ahead to clear the site.”

John Horsfield from Watford, a keen conservationist from Watford, has been heading the Save Butterfly World campaign.

He said: “50,000 signatures is an astonishing response. The rail freight petition didn’t receive nearly as many.

Not only has the closure meant we’re losing an important conservation site, we’re also losing an important educational resource.

“In 2015, more than 12,000 children from 200 schools took part in the project's learning programmes.

“The response we’ve had from children and schools has been particularly great. They have sent hundreds of letters, paintings and posters to the owners as part of the children’s crusade to Save Butterfly World."

“As a temporary fix, we’re looking to get speakers into schools to give presentations on similar things children would have learnt at Butterfly World.”

Within weeks, the Save Butterfly World group will set up a charity so people can pledge financial support for the butterfly sanctuary, which opened in 2011.

Mr Horsfield believes the amount of support the campaign's support has received cannot be ignored, and is sure something can be done to save the attraction.

He added: “We’re now looking to talk to the owners, again to organise a meeting and see how we can save this important habitat.

“They have already said that they won’t be selling the Green Belt land but Save Butterfly World believes there is a way forward that could benefit both Breheny’s and the butterflies.”

For further information call Mr Horsfield 07971 071780.