CELEBRITY gardener Alan Titchmarsh (pictured) is calling on green-fingered folk to “make a metre for wildlife” this summer by providing a refuge for struggling butterflies, moths and other pollinators.

Butterfly Conservation’s vice-president is launching the charity’s ‘Plots for Pollinators’ campaign.

The project encourages people to set aside one square metre of their garden or outdoor space to plant a nectar-rich flower bed or a colourful container garden.

Mr Titchmarsh said: “The future of our butterflies, moths and other pollinating insects is under threat as the places where they live are disappearing.

“The cold start to spring may affect how some butterflies fare this year, as they could experience a delayed emergence, meaning they’ll have less time to feed and breed - but you can help by creating some plots for pollinators.

“There are so many different flowers that are great nectar sources, like catmint, cosmos or calendula. See if you can find just one square metre you could attract lots of butterflies this spring and summer, like my favourite, the Red Admiral.

“It doesn’t have to be on the lawn either – you could create a vertical garden on a bit of unused wall or fence and this would make a huge difference for pollinators.”

Pollinating insects are important for the fertilisation of many crops, as well as other plants, trees and wild flowers.

Gardens can act as important refuges for pollinators, which are increasingly under threat from habitat loss, agricultural intensification and climate change.

Previously widespread species, such as the Small Tortoiseshell and Garden Tiger moth, have seen their numbers plummet in recent years.

Butterfly Conservation ambassador and wildlife gardening writer Kate Bradbury said: “Life without butterflies, moths, bees and hoverflies would be miserable, but together we can help reverse their declines.

“Planting just one plot in each of the UK’s estimated 24 million gardens will make a huge difference, because if everyone did this the whole country would be linked with nectar and pollen-rich flowers.”

The Plots for Pollinators project will run throughout the spring and summer. To take part, visit butterfly-conservation.org/plantplots.