Holidaymakers spot endangered butterfly on Exmoor

The heath fritillary was on the brink of extinction in the 1970s

One of the rarest species of butterfly in the UK has been spotted at a new location in Exmoor National Park.

A couple on holiday in the area discovered two heath fritillaries at Ashton Cleave.

Ashton Cleave is close to Hawkcombe Woods where the Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) has been carrying out a long-term project to help the species.

The rare butterfly, also traditionally known as the "woodman's follower", has been breeding successfully in Hawkcombe for a few years.

'Becoming more robust'

The ENPA's senior ecologist Ali Hawkins said: "The butterfly is now spreading to other sites which is really significant and really exciting."

Ms Hawkins said the butterfly: "is becoming more robust and a more viable ongoing population."

The heath fritillary is found in four locations in the UK, including in Essex, Exmoor and Dartmoor.

It was on the brink of extinction in the 1970s, but conservation action turned its fortunes around.

The butterfly is still restricted to a "few key habitats" - mainly coppiced woodland or sheltered heathland.

Exmoor National Park Authority is encouraging people to get involved with helping to monitor butterfly populations, with the ‘Big Butterfly count’ beginning on 12 July.