Warrington has been identified as one of England's top wildlife conservation hotspots.

The town scored 8.91 out of 10 in a study conducted by outdoor experts at Millets, placing it fifth in the country for conservation efforts.

Research evaluated various factors, including the diversity of species sightings, the number of wildlife rescue centres, and the availability of nature and park attractions.

Within a 10km radius, Warrington boasts a rich variety of species, including seven different types of amphibians, 2,879 types of insects, 375 types of birds, 39 types of fish, and 48 types of mammals.

Warrington also has 12 wildlife rescue centres within a 20-mile radius, contributing to its high conservation score.

Notably, the town's conservation efforts are recognised amid the government's commitment to increasing the percentage of land protected for nature from the current 7% to a global target of 30% by 2030.

As part of its study, Millets ranked England's top 10 wildlife conservation hotspots, with Watford taking the lead with a score of 9.29.

Watford was noted for its high number of nature and wildlife areas per 10km², including Oxhey Woods and Whippendell Woods.

Sheffield and Oxford followed closely in the rankings, scoring 9.17 and 9.13 respectively.

York was highlighted for having the highest number of nature and park attractions per 10km², with 14.

Millets' research also revealed that Slough has the highest concentration of wildlife rescue centres within a 20-mile radius, boasting 16.

The study also identified the small tortoiseshell butterfly as the protected species with the highest number of sightings in the UK, totalling 1,350,594.

These findings come as the government acknowledges the need for more land to be protected for nature.