A charity which introduces families to flowers, wildlife and trees needs just £500 to buy its first fairy meadow.

Some 97pc of the wildflower meadows that once covered much of lowland Britain have been lost to agricultural change and chemicals.

In 2014 the Fairyland Trust, which organises the annual Fairyland fair, launched a £20,000 appeal to create new wildflower meadows for bees and butterflies, and for families and children to picnic and play in. So far, £19,500 has been raised.

Chris Rose, director of the trust said 'Midsummer is a magical time when by tradition, as Shakespeare had it in A Midsummer Night's Dream, fairies are at large in the countryside.

'The Fairy Meadow Fund aims to buy land and turn it back into swathes of wildflowers to benefit nature, children and families.'

Abbie Panks from the trust said: 'It's taken a lot of work to almost reach our first target. Members of the public have held jumble sales, held cake sales, run quiz nights and more to help us raise money for our fighting fund.

'This money along with the 10pc of sales from our Fairy Fairs and Real Hallowe'en events means that we are now in a good place to take our next steps towards creating wildflower meadows.'

Wildflower meadows were once common, found in almost every pasture, and much associated with fairies. Cowslips were once so widespread in our fields they were known by nearly 40 local names.

Like primroses, they have been lost from most of their traditional spots on roadside verges as a result of over-fertilization and 'gang mowing'. But with good care of our environment it is possible to bring cowslips back, along with many scarce wildflowers.

The trust aims to entertain and inspire the next generation, making conservation fun so today's children grow up understanding and caring for wildlife, and knowing about our native trees and plants. To donate, click here.