BUTTERFLY Conservation and the Lion Salt Works Museum in Northwich, is set to host a free ‘Butterfly Bonanza’ day in the museum’s Butterfly Garden.

The event which will run from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday, July 21, and will feature finding and identifying butterflies and discovering more about their lifecycle.

There will be free nature-based craft activities and the chance to go on a nature trail around the site.

Rupert Adams, from Butterfly Conservation, said: “The Butterfly Bonanza will be a chance to discover the colourful and beautiful world of butterflies and moths and to learn more about their importance.

“In a harmless way, I will be collecting some of the moths so that children can have a really close-up view of these delicate insects. Butterflies and moths love buddleia plants and this is the time of year when many of the Lion Salt Works’ buddleias will be in flower – so there will be a good selection of butterflies to look at.

“It is also not too late for people to be part of this year’s Big Butterfly Count, organised by Butterfly Conservation and this year running until August 11. The count encourages people to spend 15 minutes recording the butterflies and moths they see.”

The big butterfly count is a nationwide survey aimed at helping to assess the health of our environment. It was launched in 2010 and has rapidly become the world's biggest survey of butterflies.

Craft activities during the afternoon will include making origami butterflies and taking part in a nature-based art project. In addition, everyone will have the opportunity of exploring the Lion Salt Works Museum’s site on a nature trail.

Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of the council and cabinet member for wellbeing at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The Butterfly Bonanza is a great way of appreciating one of the colourful wonders of the natural world.

“There could be no nicer way to do this than in the Butterfly Garden of this historic Lion Salt Works Museum and with experts from Butterfly Conservation. I hope that people come along to enjoy the day.”

The Lion Salt Works Museum’s Butterfly Garden contains the Cheshire Buddleia Collection of 38 species as well as a range of plants specially selected to attract butterflies and moths. It was originally designed and created by Butterfly Conservation volunteers. The UK is home to over 2,500 species of moths and 60 species of butterfly.

For more information go to westcheshiremuseums.co.uk or call the Museum on 01606 275040.