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A project has been launched to conserve Britain's butterflies

Britain's biggest-ever butterfly conservation scheme has been launched.

The £900,000 project is seeking to encourage butterflies back into the gloomy woodlands of South East England.

Butterfly numbers in the region have declined in recent years because of mismanagement of woodlands, according to Butterfly Conservation (BC), the group behind the campaign.

Many woods have become overgrown and neglected, leading to a lack of sunlight which has killed off plants that caterpillars feed on and butterflies rely on for nectar.

As a result woodland butterfly numbers have plummeted, with species such as the Pearl-bordered Fritillary down by two thirds in the past 30 years, according to BC.

BC's three-year project will aim to propagate better woodland management among landowners in a bid to make the area's woods lighter, sunnier places.

BC members of gathered for the launch at Tytherley Woods on the Hampshire/Wiltshire border on Wednesday to show off a well-maintained wood which they manage.

Woodland project manager Dr Dan Hoare said: "This is the biggest ever butterfly conservation project in Britain both financially and in geographical scale.

"Butterflies are disappearing fast in the South East. Creating large tracts of healthy woodland landscape will let these species thrive.

"We'll show woodland owners what can be achieved and what grants are available. Simple woodland management can make use of this precious resource and let wildlife thrive."