CHESHIRE Wildlife Trust will host a week of events celebrating a project that is working to reintroduce a rare dragonfly to restored Cheshire wetlands.

Delamere’s Dragons, a Heritage Lottery Fund project launched in 2014, aims to bring about a complete return of the white-faced darter dragonfly, which became extinct in the forest in 2003.

From June 19 to 25 the Trust will host a range of events including wildlife walks and photography workshops, celebrating what they say has been the most exciting season of the project.

The Trust, along with a group of volunteers, have worked with the Forestry Commission and Natural England to move young dragonflies from strongholds in Shropshire and Staffordshire to a site in Delamere Forest.

The site has been restored by Forestry Commission management, and the Trust recently reached its target number of 200 young dragonflies during the final collection.

Chris Meredith, Delamere conservation officer, said: "It was fantastic that the people who have supported the project could get stuck into the mossland to help us look for these tiny, bright green larvae.

“They got a truly hands on experience of what Delamere's Dragons is all about and I think they were really excited to help us.

"This has been the encouraging year for the project. We've recorded more evidence of white-faced darters emerging this year and are now avidly trying to spot them flying over the pools."

It is hoped that some taking part in the activities may even manage to catch a glimpse of the elusive dragonfly – one of the rarest in the UK.

A 5km wildlife hunt will kick off proceedings on Sunday, June 19 from 10am until 1pm, consisting of a guided walk around Delamere commencing in Barnsbridge car park. The walk will cost adults £5 and children £3.

Wednesday, June 22 offers an art workshop day for £25, while budding photographers can take up a similar offer on Friday, June 24.

Sandwiched in between, on Thursday, June 23, is a two-hour evening café walk and the final event on Saturday, June 25 is a wild arts and crafts session where families can make oversized replicas of the white-faced darter itself.

Booking is essential for all events. For more information visit cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/events.