Mr Pankhurst, who has dedicated his life’s work to protecting the species before his retirement in April, says the most important aspect of the conservation project has been collaboration.
“As we face the enormous challenges of climate and biodiversity loss, this provides a moment of genuine hope for the future and is a testament to what dedicated partnership conservation work delivered consistently over many decades can deliver,” he said.
“You don’t achieve successes like this on your own.”
According to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, this is the first time the Fen Orchid has successfully been cultivated in Great Britain.
Peter Stroh, scientific officer at the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, said the revision of the species threat status was “excellent news”.
He said: “It’s important to remember that the Fen Orchid remains a conservation-dependent species.
“The challenge now is to ensure that the Fen Orchid continues to thrive in its current locations and, either naturally or with a helping hand, flourish in former sites and new places within its native range in the coming years.”
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