A new report has revealed that wildlife across the UK has been in decline for decades, but a local conservation charity says that Dorset is still thriving.

The new 2019 State of Nature Report has been published revealing that the amount and distribution of the UK’s species has, on average, declined since 1970.

Wildlife is thought to be suffering from climate change, urbanisation and lack of habitat management. As a result, 41 per cent of UK species have declined since 1970.

However, the Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) says that wildlife in Dorset is finding a way to struggle on despite these issues.

The State of Nature Report states that the marsh fritillary butterfly is one of the fastest declining butterflies in the UK, but in Dorset, marsh fritillaries have expanded their core range at DWT’s Bracketts Coppice nature reserve. The charity said they have been steadily increasing in number since 2011.

Another success story is the nightjar, which has increased its territories on the Upton Heath and Tadnoll & Winfrith Heath nature reserves since 2009.

The report also notes Lyme Bay as being an area of "high species richness that includes rare and threatened species." These species include the pink sea fan, ross coral and the commercially fished scallop.

DWT’s Chief Executive, Dr Simon Cripps said: “Whilst the picture for wildlife in the UK continues to look bad with some serious declines, the report does show that it is possible to turn the declines around.

"Thanks to the support of our members and donors we have been able to protect wildlife on land and sea where we have control or influence.

"This State of Nature Report shows that the new Environment, Fisheries and Agriculture Acts need to encourage more action to make the UK into a country where wildlife and livelihoods thrive, across whole landscapes and in our seas.”

One example of work that DWT has done to help wildlife is the Get Dorset Buzzing campaign, with more than 4,000 people pledging to do at least one thing in their gardens to help create food, habitat and shelter for pollinators.

The charity said it has more than 700 volunteers helping to complete vital conservation work across the county.