Rare blue butterflies given fresh hope

Hundreds of acres of heathland that the National Trust has restored in the South Downs have become home to a new population of one of Britain's rarest butterflies - the silver studded blue.

Conservationists released the tiny blue butterflies in time for the females to lay their eggs in the heathland heather that they rely on.

This grazed rough land is vital habitat for some of our most threatened butterfly species, many of which are now dependent on protected land and conservation projects like this in order to survive.

David Elliot from the National Trust and Dan Hoare from Butterfly Conservation explained to BBC News how they have brought back these tiny, blue butterflies.

Footage of butterfly release courtesy of the National Trust

Video journalist: Victoria Gill