BEES in trouble are being given a boost by a network of ‘Bee Roadzz’ being covered in pollinator friendly plants and flowers.

The bee roads run from Marlborough to Pewsey, Avebury, Broad Hinton and along the A346 to provide pit stops for bees to refuel on flowers in farms and gardens.

Experts believe that the use of some controversial pesticides caused a 30 per cent reduction in bees between 2002 and 2011.

Residents are also being urged to keep a count of bee numbers in their garden throughout the year to trace the impact of the conservation project, created by the Marlborough Downs Space for Nature and Transition Marlborough.

More than 200 people attended workshops to learn how to tell a bumble bee from a honey bee last week and even got the chance to plant some bee-friendly flowers.

Dr Jemma Batten, project manager of Bee Roadzz, said: “We are encouraging people to plant flowers and plants which attract bees, it seems like a sensible and intuitive thing to do but by getting people to count the pollinators they then see in their gardens it will allow people to see the impact that their work is having.

"There is a disconnect between nature and people and we want to change that.

"To get a good picture of trends we will need to count bees for a long time but we have to start somewhere. Instead of talking about what we could do we have decided to get on and begin to make a difference.

“I was astonished that some nursery children didn’t even know what a seed was and it brought home that we need to go back to the most basic principles. Once we explained and got them to plant some seeds they were enthusiastic about the idea.

“We want people enthused about the project and with a monthly count they will be able to see difference themselves. Wouldn’t it be great for bee roads to connect all over the county and then the country?”

The Bee Roadzz team suggests planting rosemary, foxgloves and white clover at the moment to encourage bees and butterflies into gardens.

Visit https://www.spacefornature.net/bee-roadzz