Conservationist and presenter Sir David Attenborough has backed a Dorset wildlife charity – as it marks half a century of helping butterflies.

A nationwide day of conservation action took place on Saturday (10), to mark Butterfly Conservation’s 50th anniversary.

BC president – and noted naturalist and broadcaster – Sir David has urged admirers of the colourful flying insects to play a part in their conservation.

“Half a century ago a small group of naturalists became so concerned about the plight of the UK’s butterflies that they decided to join forces to protect them,” he said.

“That organisation became Butterfly Conservation, and 50 years later the need for people who care about our butterflies and moths is greater than ever before.

“By working together we can all take some simple steps to provide butterflies with a future.”

BC has grown to become one of the largest insect conservation charities in the world, and runs projects to protect more than 100 threatened species, as well as conserving hundreds of sites and reserves across the country.

It’s not the first time the celebrated conservationist has backed causes in Dorset.

In September last year he opened a new wing of Lyme Regis Museum, the Mary Anning Wing, where he paid tribute to the town’s most famous fossil hunter.

And in January he presented a documentary on the discovery of an ichthyosaur fossil by Chris Moore on Monmouth Beach. He also paid a surprise visit to Charmouth Heritage Centre when the ‘sea dragon’ fossil was unveiled and put on display for the public to view.

More information on events held by BC can be found at butterfly-conservation.org/events