Nature enthusiasts across Dorset are being encouraged to embrace their creative side and design a banner for a leading wildlife charity.

Butterfly Conservation is calling on nature enthusiasts to design a brilliant banner which will have pride of place at the upcoming Restore Nature Now march.

The winning design will be printed and held aloft at the head of the wildlife charity’s party as they, along with thousands of others, march to Westminster in London on Saturday, June 22 calling for urgent action to ensure nature’s recovery.

The competition, which runs until June 3, is open to anyone still in education and encourages budding creatives and campaigners to create a standout design which shows their support for butterflies and moths and the vital need to protect them.

The winner will also receive a Butterfly Conservation t-shirt to proudly show their support for wildlife.

Julie Williams, Butterfly Conservation’s CEO said: “Our butterflies and moths are under threat. 80 per cent of butterflies have declined since the 1970s. Moth numbers have fallen by at least 33 per cent in that same time. We know what is needed to reverse these declines. It’s time to act.

To enter the competition, send a photograph or scan of your design in a landscape format to socialbutterfly@butterfly-conservation.org along with your name, age and a contact email address or telephone number, by 8pm on Monday, June 3.