About 200 dormant orchids are being relocated to a new nature reserve to safeguard their future.
The orchids at Greenabella Marsh, near the Tees estuary, are to be transported and replanted at specially selected locations within the RSPB Saltholme nature reserve in Stockton-on-Tees.
The marsh is set to become an intertidal habitat as part of the Environment Agency’s plan for flood alleviation in the area.
Senior manager at RSPB Saltholme, Chris Francis, said every single orchid would be “carefully moved by hand” in a “remarkably delicate conservation operation”.
He said: “There are never any guarantees when moving wild plants, but we’ve selected habitats where they have the very best chance of thriving.
“If visitors are able to enjoy these orchids flowering here for many years to come, it will be a wonderful conservation success.”
Each orchid will be dug up by hand and their underground tubers will be carefully cleaned and transported to their new homes the same day.
Seeds will also be collected and sowed at the receptor sites, helping to safeguard the colourful native plants for the enjoyment of generations to come.