A unique population of moths facing an uncertain future have been given a new home.

The Fisher’s Estuarine Moth are found on Skipper’s Island near the Walton Backwaters.

But their future was in doubt as the island was gradually sinking into the sea as erosion took hold.

Now they have been rehomed at a specially farmed field in Tollesbury.

Fisher’s Estuarine Moth are very rare and found in only two locations in the south-east of England.

They are legally protected from disturbance so the need to rehome them due to increased flood risk was urgent.

The moths, which have a pale gold-brown wing colour with light and dark spots, are found in low-lying areas of coastal grassland which are often vulnerable to coastal erosion.

Their caterpillars also feed solely on the hog's fennel plant.

Work began more than ten years ago to help secure the future of the species.

Tendring Council joined forces with Colchester Zoo, Natural England, Essex Wildlife Trust, the Essex Biodiversity Project and the Environment Agency in a bid to save the creatures.

A project was set up which helped establish 19 new sites in Essex for the moth.

The programme, which was overseen by Natural England, leads on from research and habitat creation work conducted by Dr Zoe Ringwood.

Maldon District Councillor Andrew St Joseph, whose livestock farm is near the new accommodation site, said: “It’s a real tribute to Zoe Ringwood of Natural England that this rare population has been saved and that a small population has managed to find this specially prepared moth plot.

“They must have flown from at least as far as Mersea Island.”