Britons urged to help record influx of painted lady butterflies

High numbers have reached UK in past six weeks and many of their offspring will emerge during Big Butterfly Count

Wildlife lovers are being urged to help record the greatest influx of painted lady butterflies for a decade as part of the world's largest butterfly survey.

Unusually high numbers of the migratory butterfly have flown into Britain from continental Europe in the last six weeks and some of their offspring will emerge during the Big Butterfly Count, which starts on Friday.