A species of moth never before seen in Kent has been spotted at a nature reserve near Snodland.

Known only by its Latin name Harpella forficella, it has been discovered at Kent Wildlife Trust’s Holborough Marshes nature reserve near Snodland.

It is so rare it was only first spotted in the UK in 2011, and this latest sighting is believed to be only the fourth for the country as a whole.

The cream and brown moth, native to Europe, was found by amateur naturalist and Trust volunteer, Ross Newham.

oss undertakes moth recording at a number of Trust reserves across West Kent.

After being caught and photographed, the sighting was confirmed by an ecologist and moth expert, and the creature was then released back at Holborough Marshes by Trust staff.

Harpella forficella was first recorded in the UK in 2011 with two later records last year.

This record in Kent may well be only the fourth occasion the species has been found in the UK.

It's believed Kent could be at the forefront of new species arriving from the continent due to climate change.