BUSINESSES and schools in Devizes will be buzzing this summer thanks to the In Bloom committee's latest bid to help the planet.

It is to hold competitions with the theme SOS 4 Bugs And Beezzz to highlight the big decline in the insect population over the past 50 years.

Devizes In Bloom chairman Zena Robson said: "June and July are going to be a very busy months. Businesses have been asked to dress their windows in June to support the theme and we are also asking pubs and hotels to use their garden spaces.

"Schools have been sent letters to encourage them to enter. They need to create a mini garden on an old pallet decorated with pollinating insects such as bees, ladybirds, beetles, lacewings along with flowers that are much-loved by them such as Lavender, Thyme, English Marigolds and Foxgloves.

"Our schools and nurseries came up trumps last year for the Our Blue Planet theme so we are very much looking forward to seeing what they produce this year."

Entries will be displayed on the roundabout near The Green.

An open garden weekend will be held on June 15 and 16 and anyone who wants to take part should contact the town hall before April 12. Maps will be on sale from June 1.

In July the Devizes In Bloom competitions for gardens and hanging baskets will be judged. Entries need to be made to the town council by June 21.