NEARLY 100 people flocked to a Basingstoke park to learn more about local wildlife.

The Old Down and Beggarwood Wildlife Group, held a “bugs and butterflies” event at Old Down Hall, in Kempshott which was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Roger Gardiner and wife, Tricia.

Children of all ages took part in a range of activities including a butterfly trail which saw them take on the challenge of finding a variety of different butterflies as well as the chance to recreate some of the creatures they had found using a range of different craft materials.

For older visitors, an exhibition of photographs showing the variety of creatures that live at Old Down and beautiful scenes of the park that were taken by members of the wildlife group, were on display.

Chris Rose, chairwoman of the Old Down and Beggarwood Wildlife Group, said: “We did quite well, and we had quite a few people come along.

“I was happy with the event, and we had the Mayor and Mayoress as well as three borough councillors and one county councillor, come along so it was great to chat to them.

“We had people come along that we haven’t seen before so it was nice to get them involved in the group.

“The idea is to get young people and families involved with the group and I think they had a good time.

“We are trying to raise the profile of Old Down, and to get people interested in wildlife and conservation.”