A RARE species of butterfly in Worcestershire is making a remarkable comeback in the Malvern Hills, thanks to a conservation project.

The slopes are the only site in the county where the grayling butterfly - which has brown wings with black eyespots surrounded by orange pupils - exist. But now the Malvern Hills Conservators, who manage the hills, has said their numbers have significantly increased over the last couple of years.

Conservators conservation officer Rob Havard said the success story was largely due to the re-introduction of grazing on the slopes over the past five years which has kept the grass short, as the butterflies like to sun themselves.

He said: "The area is a stronghold for graylings so it's really good news they're increasing. They're a real local speciality so we want to make sure they're looked after."

The Conservators are set to carry out a survey on numbers later this year and are hopeful they will discover they have increased by at least 30 per cent.

The news comes after it has been reported nationally that six of Britain's rapidly declining species - the heath fritillary, wood white, silver-spotted skipper, adonis blue and high brown fritillary - are coming back from the brink of extinction. The hills are also one of the areas where the high brown fritillary, which has disappeared from 80 per cent of known breeding sites in recent decades, still exists.

About 18 months ago, the Conservators reported numbers were increasing, but over the past couple of years, have remained stable due to poor spring weather. This affects the butterflies as they need a certain level of heat to survive and a survey last year revealed only a total of eight sightings.

But Mr Harvard said the spring weather had improved this year. Work was continuing on cutting strips into the hills to get rid of brambles and reduce bracken to allow common dog violets to grow, which the butterfly's caterpillars eat. He added: "There's still a good population nearby but what we're trying to do is increase habitats. We're hopeful as soon as we get a good year weather-wise they'll be able to spread."

The hills are home to some 28 butterfly species and the Conservators are working with Butterfly Conservation on initiatives to increase numbers.

They are also producing a booklet detailing butterflies on the slopes, due to be published later this year.04