An extinct British bumblebee species will get a boost today as around 50 queens are released at Dungeness.

Experts have spent two weeks collecting short-haired bumblebees from farmland in southern Sweden - and today they will be reintroduced to the RSPB's reserve.

The project began last year with a pilot reintroduction of around 30 of the insects following four years of work with local farmers to create the ideal wildflower habitat for bumblebees across Romney Marsh and Dungeness.

Now dozens more short-haired bumblebees are to be brought to the site.

Conservationists have hailed the move as a sign of hope for all of the UK's bumblebees.

Of the 25 species native to Britain, seven are declining and two are extinct - one of which is the short-haired bumblebee.

Before the short-haired bumblebee reintroduction project was launched, the last confirmed UK sighting was recorded in Kent in 1988.

Project manager Dr Nikki Gammans said: "Bumblebees are an intrinsic part of the British countryside, but some species are disappearing before our eyes. That's why the project to bring back the short-haired bumblebee is so important.

"Bringing this extinct species back to the UK shows what can be done for wildlife by working together.

"The queens we released last year have had a very tough time with the weather last summer, so it was vital that we return to Sweden and bring back more queens to bolster the colony at Dungeness.

"There's a lot more work to be done but thanks to the local farmers in this area of Kent and East Sussex, our friends in Sweden, a crack team of volunteers and the wildlife experts involved in the project, there is hope for all our threatened bumblebees."

Gavin Measures, Natural England's lead adviser for biodiversity, said: "It's still early days for the short-haired bumblebee.

“Reintroductions take time and it may be another year before we see signs of successful breeding. This year's release will bolster the population and gene pool; combined with all the hard work from local farmers across Romney Marsh the species is getting the best start we can give it."

Gill Perkins, Bumblebee Conservation Trust conservation manager, said: "Our support for this innovative project demonstrates that we are committed to ensuring we do what we can to protect and enhance bumblebees and the environment.

"We would encourage farmers, landowners and communities to get involved and help to protect these economically important charismatic creatures and in particular the short haired bumblebee."

Short-haired bumblebees have been declining across Europe due to the changes in agricultural practice that have seen the decline in flower-rich wild meadows.