Three spectacular species are neck-and-neck in Yorkshire for the coveted title of Britain’s Favourite Butterfly and every vote could make the difference.

Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is calling on the people of Yorkshire to back their favourite butterfly as the race to crown the nation’s champion reaches its final stages.

Voting closes on Sunday 7 June, and with just under a week left to go it’s getting tight at the top, with the outcome far from decided.

Peacock Photo: Trevor Goodfellow - Butterfly Conservation.

Where the Battle Stands: The Current Top Three in Yorkshire

1. Peacock

The feisty Peacock is one of Britain's most recognisable and best-loved garden visitors. Its dramatic, eye-catching eyespots - an extraordinary natural defence against predators - make it instantly recognisable and striking. It's the showstopper of the British butterfly world, but can it pip the Red Admiral to the post?

2. Orange-tip

The uplifting Orange-tip holds a very special place in British hearts as one of the first butterflies of spring. The male's vivid tangerine wing tips are a joyful sign that warmer days have arrived and summer isn’t far away. Delicate in appearance, but with a fiercely loyal fan base, the bold and beautiful Orange-tip is very much in the running for the overall crown.

3. Holly Blue

A shimmering flash of pale blue in the garden, the Holly Blue is quietly climbing both the leaderboard and the map. One of the species benefiting from Britain's warming climate, it has been steadily spreading northwards in recent decades, bringing its appealing beauty to gardens and hedgerows across more of the country than ever before. Small, elegant, and understated, the Holly Blue is perhaps the competition’s dark horse… But will it snatch victory in this final furlong?

The response to Britain's Favourite Butterfly has been absolutely wonderful, and we're not surprised. It's clear that people across Yorkshire have incredibly strong feelings about the butterflies they love.

What's so exciting right now is just how close the vote is. Any one of these species could take the title, and with voting still open, the final result really is in the hands of the public. Whether your heart belongs to a garden favourite, or a rare and special species, please cast your vote, every single one counts and your butterfly needs you!

Britain's Favourite Butterfly is the first-ever public vote by wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation to find the nation's most-loved butterfly species. Voting is open until Sunday 7 June, with the winner announced later in the month.

The UK is home to 60 species of butterfly, but 80% have declined over the last 50 years as a result of habitat loss, land use change and climate breakdown. Butterfly Conservation hopes the campaign will encourage people of all ages to marvel at these incredible insects, reconnect with the natural world, and feel inspired to help protect it.

Recent scientific evidence shows that as little as 15 minutes spent watching butterflies can increase people's feelings of connection to nature, and with that connection comes the motivation to protect it. In short, simply enjoying butterflies could play a vital role in nature's recovery.

The dedicated Britain’s Favourite Butterfly voting website features fun facts about all 60 species and a 'what's your butterfly personality?' quiz to help people choose their champion.

Voting closes Sunday 7 June. Cast your vote now at https://britainsfavouritebutterfly.co.uk