Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is inviting the public to go with the glow this summer and record sightings of the glow-worm.

These creatures, which are not worms at all but a type of beetle, are called glow-worms because of their ability to produce a dazzling display of light which the adult uses as a signal to attract a mate.

Only one species is common in Britain but there is very little information on where they can be found and how many there are in Wiltshire.

To build a better picture of the glow-worm population in our county, the trust's Salisbury Plain wildlife and heritage officer, Nicky Warden wants as many people as possible to look for glow-worms and record their sightings.

Nicky says: "If people see glow-worms in Wiltshire they should let us know."

Glow-worms can be found in a number of places, including gardens, churchyards, verges, wood rides and clearings.

Nicky said: "From mid-June to mid-July around 10pm to midnight is the best time to see glow-worms these can be best seen on a moonless or overcast night.

"You are most likely to spot the adult female which glows with a green light, but we also want recordings of males and larva if you see them."

A postcard on which to record sightings and a fact sheet on glow-worms are available free from Nicky on 01722 792015.