BUTTERFLIES suffered one of their worst years on record in 2016, according to conservationists.

Despite a pleasant summer for many parts of the UK, around 40 of the 57 species assessed in the annual UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme saw declines last year compared with 2015, making it the fourth worst year on record.

A mild winter and a cold spring contributed to the conditions which saw both rare and widespread species struggle.

It is not all doom and gloom, however, as wildlife bosses said things are starting to look better for Lancashire butterflies this spring.

Alan Wright, campaigns officer for Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said there are not as many wild flowers and pollination plants for them to feed on.

He said: “Last year was quite a wet year which could explain that record but the good news is people are starting to take more notice and are growing flowers in their gardens.

“We want everyone to turn their garden into a little nature reserve and create pollination areas for butterflies, bees and other insects.”

He said councils have also started to take action to create wild flower areas.

“Things are looking up this year. I have seen more around already and people are beginning to recognise the importance,” he added.

Professor Tom Brereton, head of monitoring at Butterfly Conservation, said the results show butterflies are failing to cope with a changing climate and how we manage the environment.

“As butterflies are regarded as good indicators of environmental health this is hugely concerning for both wildlife and people,” he said.

The monitoring scheme by Butterfly Conservation, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and Join Nature Conservation Committee highlighted the heath fritillary, grizzled skippers, wall, grayling, white-letter hairstreak and white admiral butterflies as recording poor years.