LOCAL wildlife is at a ‘critical point’, a conservation charity has warned.

For the first time Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust has shared its concerns about the county's environment, launching a campaign today to highlight single-use plastic, river pollution, flooding and the urgent need for more wild spaces.

And the Trust is calling on individuals and businesses to take simple actions to help make a difference, including buying reuseable water bottles.

In its Manifesto for a Wilder Gloucestershire, the Trust has outlined the steps it will take, with the help of others and has highlighted areas of concern in Gloucestershire, stressing that 70 percent of traditional orchards have been lost and only tiny fragments of wild flower meadows remain.

The Manifesto also points out that many species have already been lost from the county and nightingales, water voles, curlews and small pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies are among those now at risk.

Roger Mortlock, chief executive of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, said: “This is such a critical point for wildlife, but there is still time to put Gloucestershire’s nature into recovery.

"We are calling on everyone – individuals, families, communities, politicians and businesses – to support our Wilder Gloucestershire campaign, and to take simple actions that will all help to make a difference.”

He added: “Wilder Gloucestershire draws upon the knowledge we have gained from nearly 60 years in wildlife conservation and the wisdom of our 28,000 members and 500 volunteers. Many of the ideas came directly from Gloucestershire’s young people. It’s a campaign for everyone who cares about the future of the county.”

The Trust is also asking people to sign their petition asking local MPs to support a strong Environment Act.

To find out more about the Wilder Gloucestershire campaign visit gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/wildergloucestershire