A RARE butterfly found on Rodborough Common inspired a group of school children to create a spectacular artwork.

Pupils from Gastrells and Rodborough Primary Schools created a butterfly installation in Rodborough Church, as part of the Hidden Gardens and Sculpture Trail.

The theme of the trail was recycle and re-use and the installation was made almost exclusively from recycled materials from the Scrapstore in Gloucester and from plastic bottles brought in by the children.

The children constructed the giant mobile after spotting the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly during a nature walk on the common.

The walk was led by butterfly conservation officer Jennifer Gilbert.

Ms Gilbert talked to the children about the habits of the Duke of Burgundy, which lays its eggs under the leaves of cowslips on the north-west facing slopes of the common because the dew stays for longer, keeping the leaves moist for the caterpillars to feed.

Community artists Lorraine De Col and Susie Walker, and teachers Helen Redpath and Clive Payne helped the children make the installation, and joined them on the nature walk too.

Susie Walker said: "We were lucky enough to spot and photograph Duke of Burgundy butterflies on our walks, as well as lots of other butterflies and creatures.

"The children spent some time stopping and listening to what they could hear and recording sounds for a soundscape that was played alongside the installation.

"Part of the aim of the project was to foster an ongoing love of nature and the particular places that are accessible to the children in Rodborough.

"Some of the children said they have since taken their parents there to spot butterflies too, which we were really pleased to hear."

After the walk, the pupils then spent a day with the artists creating eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises, butterflies, leaves and plants to form the display.

Anyone interested in seeing the installation will be able to catch it in the Sub Rooms until July 5, and then at the garden at the Museum in the Park during the Festival of Nature, on July 7.

The project was funded through Arts Council England, Stroud Festivals, Rodborough Parish Council and the Waitrose green token scheme.