EXOTIC butterflies were given a helping hand by thrilled youngsters at Blenheim Palace.

The species from Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines fluttered into the Butterfly House which reopened this week after a £100,000 renovation project.

Theo Hopewell Smith, six, and Kia Hopewell Smith, nine, were part of the team who released the butterflies.

The butterflies are housed in a new building and visitors can watch them develop within their chrysalises in a new hatchery area.

Head of gardens Hilary Wood said: “It’s an amazing sight to see the house filled with exotic butterflies once again and we’re expecting many more to hatch out over the coming days.”