An area to pollinators has been created in Warwick by local community group Bee Friendly Warwick.

Working with Warwickshire County Council, communities can now "adopt" suitable road verges and manage them in a way that benefits biodiversity.

A verge was suggested by Cliffe Way residents, and Bee Friendly Warwick championed a project to add wildflowers to the site.

A several-step process was followed to ensure the verge was suitable, funding for insurance was found and residents were consulted via a Street Letter and a local WhatsApp Group.

Warwick Town Council and the county council approved the plans and the seeds could be sown.

The group said wildflower areas provide brilliant habitats and nectar sources for a huge variety of species; connecting up wild and wildflower habitats allows pollinators and other biodiversity the opportunity to move around and increase.

A large group of dedicated volunteers from the group and local residents started the work this autumn.

The verge was mown, the grass raked off and then the ground was raked to create patches of bare ground, which made it easier for the seeds to take. Wildflower seeds had been carefully sourced from local, native flowers and were mixed with flour to spread them out across the verge.

Bee Friendly Warwick volunteers and local residents have worked together on the project (image supplied)

"A big thank you to Bee Friendly Warwick who helped us to get our verge adopted for wildflowers," said local residents Sylvia and John Hessing.

"We're really happy to be able to help the pollinators and can't wait to see the flowers blooming and bees buzzing in our mini meadow next spring."

A mown edge of grass will be maintained by locals year-round and most of the verge given an annual cut in the autumn.

There will be an outer mown metre-wide grass edge, an inner slightly taller selection of native wildflowers and in the centre tall wildflowers such as knapweed and ox-eye daisies.

It will take time for the wildflowers to fully take hold but in a few years, it should be a fantastic resource for pollinators and biodiversity.

This was all made possible through the support and help of Warwick Town Council and funding from Warwick Court Leet and Warwick Relief in Need.

"We'd like to thank everyone who has made this happen: local councillors, volunteers and our funders," added Sara Lever, chair, Bee Friendly Warwick

"Bee Friendly Warwick are aiming to create a whole network of pollinator friendly habitats across Warwick.

"If you think you have a suitable verge or green space near you in Warwick and a team of willing volunteers to manage it, please do get in touch as we will only be too happy to help you through the process.

"Or do let us know if you have any other ideas on how we could make Warwick more Bee Friendly!"

You can contact Bee Friendly Warwick by email: [email protected] or find them on Facebook.