Orchid goes public after 50 years

The Lady's Slipper Orchid, Britain's rarest wild flower has gone on public display for the first time in more than half a century after being saved from extinction.

English Nature yesterday revealed the location of seedlings of the orchid after years of secrecy. For 50 years, only one mature Lady's Slipper has been growing in England, and its whereabouts have been one of conservationists' closest guarded secrets.

About 18 months ago, seedlings developed from the plant after more than 15 years of research at Kew Gardens were planted out in five other locations. In a dramatic move towards the plant's revival, English Nature has announced one of the places was along Ingleton Glens Waterfall Walk near Settle, North Yorkshire.