The problems the farming community is facing are beginning to have an effect on wild flowers.

Conservationists at the Wilt-shire Wildlife Trust are becoming increasingly concerned that the the increased unprofitability of livestock farming means that farmers are finding it more difficult to find animals for grazing.

The concern is that grazing, at the right time of year, is vital for the continued existence of the fragile wild flower species that are being encouraged on the reserves.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust project officer Georgina Terry said: "The strong pound means the price that farmers can get for their cattle is low, and export near impossible.

"Market forces are driving farmers out of business.

"A knock-on effect of the terrible condition of the farming economy and an increasing number of people going out of livestock farming, is that there is less stock available to graze nature reserves and wildlife sites.

"In the long term it could be very bleak, no stock means no grazing."