A tiny zebra-striped bee, usually found along England's south and east coasts, has made an unexpected journey to the West Country.

The rare sea aster mining bee has been spotted at Steart Marshes in Somerset by naturalist Nigel Phillips, who said the find "was a huge surprise".

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust said saltmarsh restoration work at the nature reserve had helped create the perfect home for the newcomer.

The charity says the discovery shows how rare species and wildlife can thrive by restoring coastal habitats.

Image source, Kit Houghton WWT

Image caption, The species nests independently and relies on the saltmarsh plant called sea aster for food

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The reserve supports a wide variety of coastal wildflowers, including plenty of sea aster, which is thought to have finally attracted the bees to the Steart peninsula.

"There were lots of them and several colonial nest areas in the dry sandy ground," said Phillips.

"At the time I thought they were only found in salt marsh areas…