EXOTIC butterflies can now be seen fluttering around their newly refurbished home in Widnes.

The butterfly house in Victoria Park has reopened for summer thanks to a team of dedicated volunteers.

It is attracting around 100 visitors a day.

Halton Council has been awarded a grant of £22,242 from WREN to refurbish the glasshouses, fit a new information desk and handrails and re-lay flagstones.

The grant was matched by Halton Council and has also improved disabled access.

The council’s local area forum contributed £5,000 towards information boards, a DVD player and films and providing specialist staff.

Halton Cllr Eddie Jones, board member for the voluntary sector, said the facility originally opened 11 years ago and has only survived thanks to volunteers.

He said: “It is such a wonderful, valuable place.

“It has been a battle to maintain it but with hard work and the support of a dedicated group of volunteers we have managed to do it.

“Thanks to the support of WREN we have been able to improve the facility and make it more welcoming and comfortable for visitors.”

The butterfly house is open from Wednesday to Sunday 12 noon to 3pm.