A late spider orchid, described as one of Britain's rarest plants, has been dug up and stolen from the Folkestone Downs.

One orchid was dug up and taken away and another was dug up and thrown to one side, nearby, where it died.

It happened some time between 6pm on Friday, June 10 and 9am on Saturday, June 11.

The late spider orchids are specially protected and it is a criminal offence to pick, uproot or destroy this species, Kirk Alexander from the White Cliffs Country Partnership (WCCP) said.

The WCCP partnership manager said: “We have been assisting the landowner, Eurotunnel, to manage Folkestone Downs for many years.

“The number of late spider orchids on Folkestone Downs has increased from 6 in 1990, when grazing was re-introduced, to more than 200 in recent years.

"This year would have been a bumper year for flowering by the late spider orchid and there was a good chance that the flowers would have set seed leading to new plants in future years.”

The ranger for the Folkestone Downs, Alfred Gay, has been watching over the orchids at the weekend.

Mr Alexander said: "It is disappointing that someone uprooted two of the orchids when he was not present.

'It is disappointing that someone uprooted two of the orchids when the ranger was not present' - Mr Alexander

"It is particularly sad as the stolen plant will almost certainly die away from the special habitat of Folkestone Downs.

"The theft and damage to the orchids has been reported to the police.”

People have been advised that they can help protect the late spider orchids by reporting any suspicious activity on Folkestone Downs to the WCCP by calling 01304 241806 or contacting the police on 101.