A RARE butterfly has returned to a West Oxfordshire beauty spot after a 30-year absence.

The Black Hairstreak was spotted on North Leigh Common for the first time since 1988 by Stuart Hodges of Butterfly Conservation.

Mr Hodges visited the common, which is maintained by West Oxfordshire District Council, after reports the hot summer was encouraging increasing numbers.

He said: “We had tried unsuccessfully to find it at North Leigh Common before.

"The last time we have any reference of it being seen there was in 1988 which was an exceptional year not equalled until this year.”

The Black Hairstreak is only seen in June and early July and has a very limited range, with most colonies limited to Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

It relies on the presence of blackthorn to lay its eggs, which is found in the wooded area of North Leigh Common.

The district council will set up a new management plan for the open common land aimed at encouraging the butterfly to thrive with other flora and fauna.

Cllr Steve Good, cabinet member for the environment, said: “It is fantastic to hear that such a rare species of butterfly has been seen in the district and through woodland management we will look to protect and develop its micro-environment by retaining blackthorn.”