15660WILDLIFE lovers in Trowbridge were treated to two walks geared at showing-off the wealth of species living in the county town.

A bat and moth walk was held on Friday night with a dragonfly hunt in Biss Meadows the next day.

Frank Lowe, a local moth specialist and Jeff Birral, of Wiltshire Bat Group, provided the advice on Friday night, also taking equipment for the three-hour walk in Southwick Country Park.

Electronic bat detectors were used to identify different species, while a UV trap was used to attract a wide variety of moths.

Cath Mowat, West Wiltshire District Council's community wildlife officer, said: "Southwick Country Park has superb habitats for bats. The network of mature hedges, the areas of long grass and the ponds and streams means there are plenty of insects, especially moths, for the bats to feed on.

"Most people have no idea how beautiful moths can be the special UV moth trap attracts moths that people do not normally see, and they are really stunning."

A dragonfly walk was held at Biss Meadows, near Tesco, on Saturday morning.

The event was free but donations were made to the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, which helped organise the walks.