A CONSERVATION group is inviting residents of West Oxfordshire to join them for a free wildflower walk around a nature reserve.

Residents can join the Wychwood Project and Craig Blackwell, former county ecologist for Oxfordshire, for the walk around Wigwell Nature Reserve in Charlbury on Saturday.

The walk is to be held on National Meadows Day, which encourages people across the country to celebrate wildflower grasslands

Sharon Williams, director of the Wychwood Project, said: “We want people to explore their local meadows and be able to share what they find.

“Joining us at Wigwell near Charlbury is a great opportunity to learn more about how we manage the site for wildflowers and pick up some identification tips from an expert.

“We are pleased to support Save Our Magnificent Meadows which helps bring more diversity to wildflower meadows.

“Our Suck, Seed and Sow initiative does just this on selected road verge nature reserves and green spaces across the Wychwood Forest area.

“We are always keen to hear from people who would like to help us collect seed for this initiative. ”

While the event is free, places are limited and booking is advised.

To book, visit the Wychwood Project website at wychwoodproject.org

More than 97 per cent of wildflower meadows have been destroyed since the Second World War.

More than 100 events are taking place across the UK this year to mark National Meadows Day.

For more information visit magnificentmeadows.org.uk