Rare fungi which inspired the renowned video game and TV series The Last of Us has been found in a Kent woodland.

The real-life zombie species Ophiocordyceps gracilis was discovered in Dane Valley, Margate, on April 7.

It is a member of a genus that grows only on living bugs, taking over the nervous system and controlling its movements while keeping it alive.

The fungi’s tendency to hijack its host inspired the hit Sky series The Last of Us, centred around a dystopian world in which a mass fungal infection causes hosts to become zombie-like creatures.

Only 14 examples have been found in the UK, while the most recent discovery is the first time the species has been found in Kent since 1968.

Bob Ward, who has been helping out with the woodland’s upkeep, made the remarkable find while taking a break from mowing paths.

In this case, it had taken over a moth larva which was burrowed underground.

When the fungus has found a host, it will send a fruiting body out of its head and produce spores to continue the cycle.

Steve Darling, secretary of Dane Valley Woods said: “It has come to light that one of our volunteers found an incredibly rare fungi on our last task day.

“With thanks to the Kent Fungus Group it has been identified as Ophiocordyceps gracilis.

“We waited for the fungi to emit the spores before we dug in the soil to reveal the caterpillar victim.”

The Last of Us first premiered in January 2023.

It is based on a video franchise of the same name which was released in 2013.

The premiere was watched by 4.7 million viewers on the first day, and a second series is set to come out next year.

Dane Valley Woods hosts a group of volunteers who help look after a developing community woodland on a former council owned landfill in Margate.

The fungus is not the only rare species they have found, with a pyramidal orchid, brown argus butterfly and red bartsia bee being spotted in the past.

Over 6700 trees have been planted since 2003, as well as grassland, wild flowers and glades.