BUTTERFLY spotters are being sought to monitor rare varieties living in the Wyre Forest.

National insect charity, Butterfly Conservation, has called for volunteers to help keep an eye on population numbers of exotically named species ranging from pearl bordered fritillary to wood white and including silver washed fritillary and grizzled skipper.

According to the charity, numbers have declined dramatically over the past 50 years in the forest, which is considered one of the best places in the Midlands region to see butterflies.

Forest Enterprise and English Nature are running habitat management programmes to help maintain the forest's butterfly numbers but need the help of volunteers to gauge the success of the work.

Jane Ellis, of Butterfly Conservation, said: "Without regular butterfly surveys during the summer, we have no way of knowing if the woodland management work is benefiting the butterflies or not.

"We desperately need some new volunteers to ensure all the hard work pays off."

She added: "Anyone can be involved. Full training can be given so you don't need to be a butterfly expert but we do need enthusiasm."

Potential volunteers would be required to walk set routes in the wood and record what they see, ideally once a week during the summer months.

Anyone considering volunteering can contact Jane Ellis on 01788 510695 for more information.

Butterfly Conservation is the largest insect conservation charity in Europe, with more than 11,500 members in the UK.

Its aim is to protect butterflies, moths and their habitats.

The charity manages more than 25 nature reserves and runs programmes on more than 60 threatened species.