A WINCHESTER nature reserve famed for its array of butterflies is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

More than 10,000 butterflies are seen at Magdalen Hill Down every year. Families have been invited to an activity day on Sunday to join a national count.

There will be guided butterfly walks, face painting, badge making and more at Sunday's Big Butterfly Count Family Day. Prizes are on offer for children who paint the best depictions of the reserve's butterflies and moths.

Once part of an army camp in the First World War, Magdalen Hill Down has grown from 23 acres to 120 since 1990, when its maintenance was assumed by Butterfly Conservation, the charity.

The estate is well known for its Small Blue and Chalk Hill Blue butterflies. Last year the site recorded the second highest count of Small Blues in the UK. More than a thousand Chalk Hill Blue butterflies have been counted on a single, one-hour walk.

Clive Wood, vice chairman of Butterfly Conservation's Hampshire and Isle of Wight branch, said: “This really is a big milestone for the reserve and celebrates all the hard work put in over the years by the many branch volunteers and Butterfly Conservation staff. We would love for people living in and around the area to show their support for this beautiful place and all the wildlife it supports."

The Big Butterfly Count Family Day is free and takes place between 10.30am and 2.30pm.