TWO seldom-seen wild flowers have been discovered in the garden of a Pontypool woman.

A common spotted orchid and a bee orchid were found by Miss Elizabeth Parry, 80, a Bron Afon tenant in New Inn.

Miss Parry asked Bron Afon’s grounds maintenance team not to cut the grass and wild flowers in front of her home in the hope that it would attract bees and other insects.

Within four weeks, Miss Parry found the common spotted orchid and the bee orchid growing in the same plot.

“Seeing the colourful lawn brought back fond memories of my childhood,” she said, “when I would go for walks with my father and he would point out the wild flowers and tell me the names of them.

“Finding the two orchids was such a bonus. I had to look up the one to find out what it was.”

Bron Afon’s environmental services manager, Simon Morgan, said it was “inspiring” to see Miss Parry’s efforts to encourage wild flower growth Gwent Wildlife Trust conservation manager, Gemma Bode, said the bee orchid is only found in four areas in Torfaen.

She said: “Many species of wild flowers are currently in decline and the bee orchid is not a common one.

“It’s great to hear its been found and hopefully it will encourage other people to relax their gardening to grow wild flowers to help bees.”

Torfaen council ecologist, Kris Roberts, added: “The bee orchid is a species of priority conservation concern in Torfaen.”

Anyone who wants to suggest a site where Bron Afon could develop wild flower meadows should call Simon Morgan on 01633 620 111.