OVER the years more and more houses have gardens and, with recent economic problems, there has been an increasing demand for allotments.

Together they produce in excess of 20million spaces where, if care is taken, we can all live hand-in-hand with our wildlife.

A new garden will initially contain just a few invertebrates, such as earthworms and snails, but soon the bare areas will be planted up and attract a wide variety of animals, very few of which are pests, and some are very useful to the gardener. The least useful areas to the wildlife are lawns, which we all love so well. If we plant herbaceous borders and place a bird table on the lawn there will be no shortage of bird visitors.

In addition to our designated gardens, there has been a tendency in recent years to create areas which add colour and ecological interest to shops, and terrace houses which have back yards.

There is often competition between gardeners and this adds to the variety of the wildlife attracted to the areas.

More and more gardens have incorporated features, such as ponds, fountains, walls, and garden sheds.

All provide different niches which wildlife can take advantage of, and add colour to the garden.

Some now have wild areas where weeds, such as nettle, and hedgerow plants can be confined, but still add diversity to the animals and plants, especially colourful and most welcome butterflies.