Two married Brighton and Hove councillors share a rather unusual hobby – breeding privet hawk moths.

Conservative Councillors Ken and Ann Norman run their own breeding programme for the insects, which are the largest resident species in Britain.

Councillor Ken Norman, who represents Withdean ward, traces his interest in moths to his childhood, when he collected caterpillars at his primary school and watched them grow.

He said: “I was brought up to be interested in wildlife. Privet hawk moths have come back to me from my childhood.”

The couple buy eggs or small caterpillars which emerge as moths in June or July each year in order to mate and start the cycle again.

Coun Norman says he and his wife release the moths into the wild successfully each year, generally more than they began with.

He supports the council's efforts to create more butterfly havens, and regularly visits those in Withdean.

Privet hawk moths are easily identified by their large wingspan, which can reach over 10cm, and their pink and black stripes.

As caterpillars they are about the size of a finger, green with striped sides, and have a spiky black horn.