AN INITATIVE helping Monmouthshire council to become friendlier for bees and pollinating insects will be expanded.

Working with Bee Friendly Monmouthshire and community councils, the authority has planted 37.3 hectares of seeds, including annuals and perennials, throughout the county. Last year it planted 28.8 hectares.

Preparations for planting started in March and the first flowers are expected in the next few weeks.

Cabinet member for community development Cllr Phil Hobson said: “This is an invaluable initiative that will create waves of beautiful, vibrant flowers throughout Monmouthshire.

“Pollinators, including bees, wasps, butterflies, hoverflies and moths, are an essential part of our habitat. Without them we would not be able to grow food. They play a pivotal role in food production and have an estimated value of about £430 million per year to the UK crop market. In fact, the value of honey produced in Wales alone is thought to be about £2 million per year.

“This initiative will help safeguard this, by increasing the population of pollinating insects and improving the wider environment. We are creating sustainable environments in which insects can survive.”

The council has reduced the frequency with which it cuts certain areas of grassland that are not already being used for sport or other activities to encourage flowering species to grow. This will help the council save £30,000 a year.

Bee Friendly Monmouthshire's David Staker said: “Not only will this project create beautiful stretches of colour throughout the county, it will help create new habitats for pollinating insects. This in turn will help increase their numbers throughout the county, while adding to the area’s natural beauty.

“It’s a brilliant project, an essential project, and I’m delighted that the community councils and Monmouthshire County Council have come on board to help.”

Residents are encouraged to send in their own photos of Monmouthshire, tweet them using #beefriendlyMon or upload them to the council’s Facebook account.