A RARE butterfly is to flutter across woodlands in the area after a project to reintroduce it was given the green light.

The Wood White is found in just 50 sites across the country, with 42 per cent of these in the West Midlands and a grant has been given to increase its numbers over the next three years.

The sites will be announced later this year.

The Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation (BC) has received a £98,400 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to boost the numbers in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.

The Making a Stand for the Wood White project will see re-introductions take place across four woodland sites. The butterflies used will come from other established colonies in the area.

The Wood White is one of the smallest white butterflies native to the UK with a 44mm average wingspan. They can usually be spotted between May and early July.

BC’s Project Officer, Rhona Goddard, said: “The Wood White is a very pretty and delicate butterfly and it really needs our help if we want to secure its future here in the West Midlands.

“In the last 40 years this butterfly has fallen in abundance by 88 per cent across the UK and it is declining rapidly in this area, so the monitoring aspect of this project is really important in helping us find out just what is happening to them.”

The scheme will involve volunteer survey work, identifying new sites for the butterfly and progress checks.

Ms Goddard added: “We’re extremely grateful to all the partners involved in getting this project off the ground, from the local Wildlife Trusts to the Forestry Commission and all the volunteers working with BC’s West Midlands Branch.

“We need help from the local community too, so if anyone is interested in supporting their local wildlife, or if you just love butterflies, please join us!”

Over the next few months, guided walks, conservation days, public talks and free training courses will take place.

The first training event is taking place at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre near Craven Arms on Saturday, May 21.

To book on to this event or to find out more, e-mail Ms Goddard at rgoddard@butterfly-conservation.org or call 01746 762 364.