Prince Charles has chosen a hay meadow at Clattinger Farm, near Malmesbury, as one of Britain’s first Coronation Meadows.

The Prince of Wales will choose a meadow in every county across the country to mark the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

The meadow, which is already a site of special scientific interest and a special area of conservation, was bought by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust in 1996. It is considered the finest remaining example of enclosed lowland grassland in the country and is cultivated using traditional farming methods.

Prince Charles attended the official opening of Clattinger Farm in 1997 and used green hay seed from the area to create a wildflower meadow at Highgrove House, his home in Gloucestershire.

The first stage of the Coronation Meadows initiative was launched at Highgrove House this week with the announcement of the first 60 flagship meadows.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust director Dr Gary Mantle said: “I am delighted Clattinger Farm nature reserve has been chosen as Wiltshire’s Coronation Meadow. It has never been treated with any agricultural chemicals and is one of the finest wild flower meadows in Europe.”

All 107 Coronation Meadows will be selected by year’s end. Experts will identify sites where green seed can be used to restore or recreate new meadows. They will also map the country’s remaining meadows.

Trust chief executive Stephanie Hilborne said: “Few people of my generation have ever experienced the beauty of a flower-rich meadow in full bloom – 97 per cent of these meadows have been lost in the last century.”