A landmark survey has revealed Oswestry's historic hillfort is not only a draw for visitors, but a magnet for rare and declining wildlife species.

Organisers of the Hillfort BioBlitz, a 24-hour ecological survey carried out last July, has listed over 500 species includes 290 types of invertebrate improving significantly on the handful previously recorded.

The event was organised by Turnstone Ecology in association with English Heritage and the Oswestry Heritage Gateway. Funding contributions came from The Charlotte Hartey Foundation and the Three Parishes Big Local.

Clare Knight, from Turnstone Ecology, said: “We had a number of exciting sightings such as the ghost moth, whose numbers are starting to struggle in the UK at the moment.

"It was also a bonus to see the larvae of the thistle tortoise beetle.”

Volunteers and members of the public got the opportunity to help with the ambitious task of recording as many types of flora and fauna as possible on the hillfort ramparts.

Data has been added to official ecological records and is informing landscape maintenance to ensure the hillfort’s archaeology and thriving ecology are safeguarded.

Helen Allen, of English Heritage, commented: “We have long known about the fascinating story of human activity at Old Oswestry, but these findings provide us with a new picture of the natural story of the 44-acre site.

"I am grateful to Turnstone Ecology and Oswestry Heritage Gateway for all the efforts they have put into this interesting project.”

Neil Phillips of Oswestry Heritage Gateway added: “As well as helping with landscape maintenance and conservation on the hillfort, our group is keen to develop recreational and educational opportunities so people can explore and appreciate the site’s history and wildlife.

"We were pleased to see children and parents using nets, collection pots and microscopes at the BioBlitz and getting hands-on with the survey.”