A conservationist believes butterflies could act as a new “canary in the coal mine” for climate change, as she undertakes a two-year study in the wetlands of Wales.

Georgina Paul, of Butterfly Conservation, is now halfway through the project, which is investigating whether the endangered large heath butterfly can be used as an indicator of peatland health.

Peat bogs play a crucial role in storing carbon when they remain wet, but rising temperatures can dry them out, releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.