The Heath Fritillary is one of Britain's rarest butterflies

A colony of Heath Fritillary butterflies has been found on Dunster Heath.

But experts fear they may not settle and breed because a nearby conifer plantation blocks out too much light.

So staff from Defra will clear 20 acres of trees over the coming months, the government department said.

The Heath Fritillary, distinguished by its dusky wing colours, is restricted to a few specialised habitats.

It flies close to the ground and has historically been linked with the traditional practice of woodland coppicing.

It is now one of Britain's rarest butterflies.