A BUTTERFLY house based in Hanwell will be run by Ealing Mencap, giving adults with learning difficulties experience in the world of work.

The ribbon to the house at Brent Lodge Park animal centre was cut by Ealing North MP Stephen Pound on Tuesday.

The house, which was opened to the public on Thursday last week, allows people to walk through free flying butterflies in a specially adapted tropical environment.

Brent Lodge Park manages the house, but decided this week to hand the reins to Ealing Mencap, giving it the responsibility for running it.

Adrian Ford, social enterprise development worker at Ealing Mencap, said: “It was great because there was interaction between our services and the general public; we had fun and the sun came out.”

On the launch day there was a butterfly making and flying activity coordinated by people with learning disabilities and a raffle with prizes including tickets to Kew Gardens.

Mr Ford said: “Ealing Mencap was approached by Brent Lodge Park animal centre, which manages the butterfly house and we decided that we would be responsible for it and would open it.

“That way we could provide work experience and employment for people with learning disabilities and give them training before they took on jobs such as cashier, shop assistant and admin staff in the butterfly house.”

Ealing Mencap and the Art Collective, another social enterprise, have worked with local artists and designers both with and without disabilities to create affordable cards, T-shirts, stamps and other souvenirs.

Mr Ford, who coordinates volunteers and adults looking for work experience, said: “It’s like a maze. As you walk through, the butterflies will flutter around and in some cases you can actually find a butterfly on your arm.”

He said he hopes this social enterprise will encourage a more inclusive atmosphere between those with and without a disability.

The Butterfly House will be open until July 28 from 11am to 4pm and July 29 to September 8 from 11am to 5pm.

The charge per visit will be 50p for children and £1 for adults.