A rare plant is flourishing at a chemical plant in the heart of industrial Kirklees.

The plant is a type of orchid called the Marsh Helleborine, which has been found at Dow's Mitchell Cotts chemical plant in Mirfield. It has been identified as a priority in the Kirk-lees Biodiversity Action Plan.

Jeff Keenlyside, of Kirklees Environment Unit, said: "This is the only known location for the plant in West Yorkshire and many people find it strange that such rarities should exist in an industrial complex. In fact, the plant usually grows on chalky soils, but in this case the lime wastes from earlier industrial activity have provided an ideal alternative."

The work to save the colony of plants was undertaken by the British Trust for Conser-vation Volunteers and has been funded by Mitchell Cotts. Joop Peeters, site and operations leader for the industrial complex, said: "We were approached to help out with this work and we were happy to respond and be involved in the project.

"It is encouraging that these rare plants are thriving in this area, which shows that we are having no impact on the local environment."

Although the plants are within the perimeter of the works, their discovery was made by a local botanist peering through the fence from a nearby footpath.

Work to conserve the species involves clearing tree growth as this will shade out the plants which require open ground to flourish. Two small experimental fenced enclosures have been set up to exclude rabbits which are also threatening the plants which will now be monitored.