MORE than 68,000 busy bees were spotted in the West Midlands this summer as part of a national initiative aiming to determine where the species is most at risk.

A joint project by Friends of the Earth, Buglife and B&Q saw thousands of people using a special smartphone app to report sightings of bees over a 12-week period.

Results of the study - which was launched in the face of a serious decline in bee numbers across the UK - showed leaf-cutter bees were more common in the West Midlands than any other region in the country.

The common yellow and black bumblebee was the most spotted type of the insect in every region, followed by the honey bee, while the majority were spotted in allotments, the countryside and gardens.

Bumblebee expert at the University of Sussex Professor Dave Goulson said he was pleased people had leant a hand in the study.

"It's wonderful that so many people are taking time to look more closely at the hardworking bees in their area and learn about these fascinating species,” he said.

"This year’s Great British Bee Count highlights the importance of allotments in providing essential habitat for the bees that pollinate all those tasty home-grown fruit and veg - and shows that parks and road verges could be a lot better for bees, with less mowing and more wildflowers."

Bee lovers can help the insects thrive by protecting ivy – one of the species’ main sources of nectar – and planting perennials and shrubs for them to feast on when they emerge from hibernation next year.