Staff and visitors are on the look-out for moths

The common clothes moth is attacking the historic fabrics at Killerton House near Exeter in Devon, according to the National Trust.

The creatures are thought to be breeding more frequently because of global warming.

A spokesman for the charity said: "It is like an Aladdin's cave for moths - it is an ongoing battle."

A rise in temperatures is thought to be the cause of the moths breeding three times a year instead of the normal once.

'Luxury fabric'

Killerton has one of England's most important costume collections, and items are put into a freezer to kill off moths whenever the creatures are detected.

Shelley Tobin, costume curator, said: "Clothes moths love nothing better than a bit of luxury fabric to gorge on, such as fur or cashmere, and we have all that in abundance."

Staff and volunteers at the property are all on "moth alert" and posters are around the property asking visitors who see any clothes moths to alert a member of staff.