A WILDLIFE organisation is calling on the public to help them save a rare wildflower meadow.

The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is trying to raise £330,000 to buy Ludgershall Meadows near Bicester - a 31-hectare site on the Oxfordshire border which is a treasure trove of rare habitat and wildlife.

It has now raised more than £260,000, but it only has until September 10th to find the rest of the cash – or the site will go back on the open market.

Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive of BBOWT, said: “We have already been blown away by people's amazing generosity. More than 1,600 people have now made contributions, ranging from just a few pounds to thousands, and every single penny is so valuable to us and hugely appreciated.

“We hope that every single one of those people will one day be able to feel a sense of ownership of Ludgershall Meadows - but that will only be possible if we can raise the rest of the money to actually save it. If we don't, then these 31 hectares might be lost to wildlife forever, so please help us if you can.”

The meadow is home to a population of two of the UK's rarest butterfly species - black and brown hairstreaks - as well as protected great crested newts and important birds such as linnets, reed buntings and skylarks.

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