Frith Wood at Ledbury is officially one of the last remaining strongholds for the critically endangered wildflower, Spreading Bellflower.

It has been elusive in recent years, but this is proving to be a vintage year.

Spreading Bellflower is a biennial, growing in the first year to flower and die the next.

Its fleeting appearance reflects the ever-changing conditions that are typical of coppiced woodlands.

Forestry England’s active management at Frith Wood, supported by Plantlife, means the conditions here are just right for Spreading Bellflower.

Paul Rutter, woodland advisor for Plantlife, said: “It is a delight to see spreading bellflower flourishing – the characteristic large, blue, star-like flowers light up woodlands.

"Given spreading bellflower is classified as endangered and therefore considered as a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild, it is especially heartening to see it benefitting from the partnership’s active management. The reintroduction of coppicing has enlivened this elegant flower and demonstrates how getting management right can save species.”

Numbers of this delicate wildflower have also been boosted this year by reinforcements by Forestry England volunteers who grew plug plants from seeds collected in the wood and planted them out along a freshly-coppiced bank.

This helped to create "a fantastic display" of Spreading Bellflower at Frith Wood this summer.

Kate Wollen, assistant ecologist for Forestry England said: "This year we have had at least 25 plants flowering."