THE warm weather in April almost certainly means that in the summer we can look forward to butterflies in and around our garden no matter how small this may be.

Conservationists want us all to help to survey our native butterflies. This is being carried out by the Butterfly Conservation Society and they will provide free of charge anyone who writes to them with a free butterfly survey pack. All you have to do is to send your name and address to: Garden Butterflies Count, Butterfly Conservation, PO Box 232, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN23 7SB.

Over the past 50 years, five species of our butterflies have become extinct. There are now 63 native and regular migrant species in the UK and 23 of these are seen regularly in gardens. These include the small tortoiseshell, peacock, red admiral, large skipper and occasionally holly blue but the latter not usually in our area.

Because of global warming some species are expanding their range. These include speckled wood, comma and gatekeeper.

I would be grateful if Lancashire Evening Telegraph readers would send in their butterfly records providing locations and dates seen.