VISITORS of all shapes and sizes are flocking to North Yorkshire to enjoy the fantastic weather - including swarms of beautiful Painted Lady butterflies.

Geoff Sowden, of Haxby, contacted the Evening Press when he noticed the distinctive orange and black butterflies filling his garden every morning.

Mr Sowden, who is retired and a keen gardener and butterfly enthusiast, said: "The numbers we have had in the garden have varied over the last five years but now there seems to be a resurgence. There have been a large number who have gathered here to sun themselves."

Robert Masheder, conservation officer for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said the unusually warm weather had brought more Painted Ladies to the area than would normally be the case.

"These butterflies are migrants, travelling from central Africa and the Middle East to the continent and then Britain. At the moment we seem to be inundated because it is nice and easterly winds are blowing them up from Europe."

The butterflies usually arrive in Kent in June before moving northwards. They usually go through two life cycles, living off thistles and nettles.

Updated: 08:54 Wednesday, August 06, 2003