AN APPEAL to raise £330,000 to save a treasured wildflower meadow is still tens of thousands of pounds short, with just four weeks left to go. The race is now on to reach the target, or the land could be lost to wildlife forever.

The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is trying to raise the money to buy Ludgershall Meadows near Bicester – a 31-hectare site on the Ox/Bucks border which is a treasure trove of rare habitat and wildlife. It has now raised more than £320,000, but it only has until September 10th to find the rest of the cash – or the site will go back on the open market.

The meadows harbour an invaluable 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.

Using expert management techniques such as spreading freshly-cut green hay from the wildflower meadows at neighbouring Leaches Farm. The Trust will be able to protect the habitat of existing species, while also attracting more insects, amphibians, mammals and birds.

You can help save Ludgershall Meadows for wildlife, people and climate by donating to the appeal here: www.bbowt.org.uk/ludgershall