THE Bourne Conservation Group is to run a National Moth Night event in the Old Bourne Churchyard, Vicarage Hill, on Friday, September 11, from 7.30pm until midnight - weather permitting.

This will follow immediately after the Heritage Walk the group is running on that evening, as part of the Heritage Open Days organised by the Farnham Society.

National Moth Night is run over three nights, when moths are surveyed nationwide to assess the abundances at that season of some of the 2,500 species of moths that occur in Britain.

While some moths are given a bad press, such as the box-tree moth that has just arrived in the UK, most provide important ecological services either by pollinating our garden and commercial plants or by being food for many of our favourite birds.

Moth abundances also give us a clear indication of the ecological health of our locality.

A spokesman said: "If the weather is kind we expect to collect up to 40 species, some large, some small - some of which will have flown in from Continental Europe"

Moth trapping can be uneventful at times, so a series of pictures will be shown of some of animals photographed in the Old Churchyard over the past four years, and an account given of conservation work in and around The Bourne.

There will be a nominal charge of £1 per person for non-members of BCG to help with the maintenance of the site. The event will be suitable for accompanied children. Participants should bring a torch and come in suitable footwear and warm clothing.