RARE orchids have been stolen from one of Suffolk's most important grassland nature reserves.Martins Meadows, near Otley, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve and is one of the few flower-rich hay meadows left in Suffolk.

RARE orchids have been stolen from one of Suffolk's most important grassland nature reserves.

Martins Meadows, near Otley, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve and is one of the few flower-rich hay meadows left in Suffolk.

"It looks like around a dozen turfs supporting green-winged or early purple orchids have been taken, probably by someone who wanted them for their own garden," said Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserves manager Steve Aylward. "This is a criminal offence and the offenders face a substantial fine if caught. Transplantation of orchids is usually unsuccessful due to their very specific requirements - they certainly won't survive in a garden environment."

"Beautiful wild flowers protected in publicly accessible nature reserves are for the enjoyment of the whole community. It's a shame that some people feel the need to deprive others of this pleasure by acting on such selfish impulses,"

"To prevent similar thefts we would appeal to people visiting our nature reserves to report any suspicious behaviour to me at Suffolk Wildlife Trust.