INSECTS are getting a helping hand thanks to a new initiative.

Wiltshire B-Lines aims to connect the county’s best remaining wildlife sites through targeted wildflower habitat creation, linking all areas of the county to the countryside.

The project will map out a network of potential wildflower habitats to help bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other pollinating insects.

Farmers, landowners and the public are encouraged to get involved in creating new pollinator habitats and restoring wildflower-rich grasslands.

In Swindon the aim is to establish series of meadows passing through the heart of the town from Tadpole Village to beyond Wroughton.

Neil Pullen, Swindon Reserves Manager at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust said “Insect abundance has declined dramatically in recent years and 41% of insect species currently face extinction. B-Lines is an ambitious and innovative opportunity to turn around the fortunes of some of our most important pollinators, and supports the work we are doing through The Wildlife Trusts’ Action for Insects campaign.”

Hayley Herridge from Buglife said “This is an exciting opportunity for people to help our struggling insect pollinators. If we establish a network of wildflowers across our landscape, we can support the recovery of our pollinator populations enabling them respond to threats such as climate change.

“If you have land which you are interested in restoring to wildflower-rich grassland, or if you would like to get involved in other ways, please get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.”

For more information visit www.buglife.org.uk