RARE butterflies are thriving and breeding in a North Herefordshire forest.

Wood Whites are otherwise in decline across Britain but they are prospering in Wigmore Rolls thanks to 10 years of conservation work by the Forestry Commission.

"We are now seeing the results of a lot of hard work," said wildlife ranger Mike Thornley.

"Key to the project has been our management of the 10 kilometres of 'rides' that run through the 250-hectare site."

He said rides were cleared of scrub to create corridors along which the butterflies could travel. Sheltered glades had been created to form good breeding sites. Letting more light into the woods encouraged growth of wildflower food plants and rare plants such as yellow wort and the pyramid orchid.