TV star Joanna Lumley visited the Wetland Centre in Barnes to launch a campaign to help conserve butterflies.

The actress marvelled at how utterly fabulous the centre in Barnes was and encouraged people to take part in the Big Butterfly Count, which runs from July 20 to August 11.

She said: “To have water near you is built into the human gene and everywhere you look there is water.

“Without everything you see here at London Wetland Centre - plants growing in profusion, wildlife, the sound of birds, butterflies bees and insects, the water filled with newts, frogs and small fishes, beetles and bugs – we as human beings can’t exist. It’s absolutely magic.”

During the butterfly count, people report sightings of the winged creatures to Butterfly Conservation, which go into a national record used to find out if populations are growing or declining.

The count comes as Butterfly Conservation president, Sir David Attenborough, warned that UK butterfly numbers were at an historic low, with 2012 being the worst year on record.

Butterfly spotter sheets can be picked up at the admissions desk at the Wetland Centre.

For more information on the big butterfly count, visit bigbutterflycount.org.