ROADSIDE verges in North Yorkshire are becoming a haven for wildflowers, thanks to a new project being pioneered by the county council.
Highway chiefs and farmers are working with the council's ecology department to encourage wildflowers and wildlife to thrive.
Council ecologist Kirsty Maddocks said a recent survey in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty had revealed new sites and colonies of rare flowers.
She said: "Among the best are verges along the limestone ridge between Malton and Hovingham. On some of the sites there are between 50 and 60 species, including rare plants such as orchids.
"Road verges are a potential wonderful resource for wildlife - not just flowers but butterflies as well."
She said that while ecologists and conservationists favoured some cutting of verges, it should be carried out at times when it did not damage the survival chances of wildlife. "We want to manage the verges in a way that safeguards and enhances their ecological value."
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