Ref. 25596-81 & 33IN February, the Studley Grange Butterfly Farm was little more than a building site inside two large greenhouses.

Now it's ready for visitors, featuring a tropical climate and resembles a distant paradise, of exotic plants and hundreds of butterflies from more than 50 different species.

Owners of the butterfly farm are hoping to open the new attraction a week today, but red tape due to the application for a zoo licence, which is required for any business wishing to display animals for exhibition, has caused delays.

The butterfly farm, which is located at the rear of the Blooms of the Bressingham Garden Centre, in Lydiard Tregoze near junction 16 on the M4, will be one of the largest in the country.

Featured will be thousands of butterflies, from around 100 different species, although it's likely there only be around 50-60 species flying around at any one time.

Visitors will be able to see all kinds of butterflies watching them feed and mate and enjoy the spectacle of new born butterflies emerge from their chrysalis.

Owner and brainchild behind the Butterfly Farm, Tony Miller said: "We have seen some huge changes in the last few months and we are very pleased with how it has all come together.

"We have hundreds of plants, and citrus fruit trees and we even have a small orange grove. The butterflies have really taken in this short time. Now we just want to get the visitors in here."

Luke Brown, the manager of the farm, and amateur entomologist said: "All the butterflies in here have been bred in captivity nothing has been taken from the wild.

"It is a controlled environment, not just with the climate in here but also when the butterflies are hatching we go and check them for disease, which is highly unlikely," he said.

All the butterflies are brought into the farm in the form of pupa and hung up in the hatching room.

Then when the time is right the butterflies emerge and dry off their wings. Each butterfly is then checked and released into the flying area.

A butterfly's lifespan is reasonably short and within days some butterflies can be seen mating their eggs laid on the hundreds of leaves available.

"I think people will be intrigued by what they see here," explained Mr Brown.

"You don't have to be an expert to appreciate the butterflies we have on display here. Most people will enjoy the huge numbers we have, their exotic colours and the opportunity to see them on the wing."

By the time of opening, the butterflies will be joined by a number of small birds including quails, which will be used as a natural predators for unwanted pests.

Awaiting hatching presently are Atlas Moths.

Although the name moth indicates an insect familiar for fluttering around light bulbs, the Atlas Moth bears more of a resemblance to a butterfly but with a wing span of up to 12 inches, it's the size of a British chaffinch.

Mr Miller unveiled plans for a farm in February 2000 as part of a regeneration project on the 25-acre site of redundant water meadows.

The plan had caused some controversy and previous applications had failed because they were not specific enough.

But a dedicated Mr Miller finally got the go-ahead.

The farm is just the second phase of a project to turn the Studley Grange Garden and Leisure Park into an important local tourist

attraction.

The first phase of the project, a series of shop units, built for arts and crafts firms was completed last August. It is hoped still to build an otter sanctuary, which help to breed the endangered species.

The butterfly farm should open next Thursday. There will be all the usual facilities including toilets, a restaurant, a souvenir shop and classroom for school visits.

Entry is £4.25 for adults, £3.75 for students and senior citizens and £3.25 for students. For more information about the farm call Swin-don 852400.