Bees are a vital part of UK ecosystems and environment.

“This is also one of the key messages of our recently launched ‘Plant for our Planet’ campaign - aimed at inspiring the public to support nature recovery by engaging in a variety of green activities to move us to a more sustainable future as we build back greener after the pandemic, and step up our efforts in tackling the climate crisis which is the focus of the COP26 summit.”

The chief executive of Natural England, Marian Spain, added: “Without nature we could not live. Pollinators including bees especially show us this; holding the environment together by moving pollen between plants, enabling whole systems to be sustained and replenished, and ensuring vital food supplies for wildlife and people.

“From changing the way you garden, to asking your council to leave long grass on road verges, parks and schools grounds, to using citizen science to learn even more about bees and other wildlife, we can all take part in Bees’ Needs Week and beyond.”

People are also being urged to get involved in the citizen science initiative, the Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS) insect counts, to help keep track of local bee and pollinator populations so that better support can be provided for them.