BUTTERFLIES and other insects are set to dine in style as a result of a new project led by West Midlands Butterfly Conservation. Volunteers from the charity have worked with Grow Cook Learn at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms to create the county's first Pollinators' Garden and Insect Hotel. The plants have been provided by local Shropshire business CJ Wildlife who are based near Shrewsbury.

The garden includes specially selected plants to attract insects plus a nesting area for solitary bees and other bugs. Pollinating insects are in serious trouble in Britain which is bad news not just for wildlife but also for us as we rely on insects, including butterflies and moths, to pollinate the food that we eat. Already, the new garden is positively buzzing with insects including many butterflies.

Mike Williams from West Midlands Butterfly Conservation said "Gardens can never replace natural habitats but we can play a part in helping pollinators by growing plants which are rich in nectar and pollen. We hope that this demonstration garden will inspire visitors to follow our example and introduce a similar range of plants into their own homes. Butterflies are declining nationally and Butterfly Conservation are also looking to recruit volunteers to assist with a new project aimed at conserving the Wood White butterfly which has its stronghold in Shropshire and neighbouring counties."

Catherine Collier, general manager of Grow Cook Learn and the Discovery Centre said "We are delighted to be part of this exciting project and are grateful to West Midlands Butterfly Conservation and CJ Wildlife for their support. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the garden and hope that people will also take the opportunity to explore the butterflies and wild flowers in the adjacent Onny Meadows."

Holly Doyle-Wilday from CJ Wildlife said "As a local company we are always keen to support worthwhile community projects. This idea particularly appealed to us as we are keen advocates of wildlife gardening and have already supported Butterfly Conservation in the publication of their recent Butterflies of the West Midlands book in which we agreed to be Species Champions for both the Peacock and Red Admiral butterfly, two of our best known garden butterflies."

The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre is open daily from 10am to 5pm so you can visit the garden for yourself and see the plants you can put in your own garden to attract butterflies and other insects. You can also enjoy a viewing of the film, of the rare Wood White butterfly at 4pm on Wednesday, April 5, spotted in the local area.