More than 5,000 species are recorded at the National Trust's Wimpole Estate despite drought in one of England's driest counties

Surveys conducted over the past six years at the 2,500-acre Cambridgeshire estate have turned up barbastelle bats, great crested newts and corn buntings among the 5,242 species logged. One of those is a pygmy ant previously documented at just one other location in the UK. The total marks 50 years of National Trust stewardship at Wimpole. Hosepipe bans now cover parts of the East, one of seven UK regions classified as being in drought.

The charity has planted 125,000 trees at Wimpole since 2021, with 77 more hectares planned.

General manager David Hassall called the tally 'remarkable in any landscape'.

Ben McCarthy warned wildlife across the UK is 'under immense pressure'.