WORCESTER'S MP Robin Walker enjoyed a visit to the first native wildflower verge in Worcester.

The verge, established in the spring of 2020, in Dugdale Drive in Warndon Villages, was a pilot project started by Worcester Environmental Group in collaboration with Worcester City and Warndon Parish Councils.

It has proved to be a success with many residents expressing enthusiasm for this biodiverse roadside verge.

Paul Snookes, a cofounder of Worcester Environmental Group, said: “This project has already resulted in considerable benefits to the community and to wildlife.

"There are more than thirty species of wildflowers that have flourished on the verge and the surrounding vegetation simply by not cutting the grass since the spring of this year.

"This has resulted in more bees, butterflies and other pollinators thriving where before there had only been mown grass. In turn this will attract many more species including birds, bats, hedgehogs, frogs and newts."

Mr Walker said: "It was fantastic to see the difference that planting natural, native species can make in supporting biodiversity.

"I have many constituents in Worcester who are passionate in supporting pollinators such as these and projects such as this one are great way of doing that.

"We live in a beautiful part of the country but it is a sad fact that the diversity of our wildlife has reduced over the last 50 years and it is great that steps are being taken to reverse this.

"The UK is leading international efforts to assess the value of biodiversity to the world economy and ensure it gets a higher priority. At home we have the opportunity of creating our own agricultural environment policies to restore the natural environment and encourage native wildlife.

"I am delighted to support the work of the Worcester Environmental Group, and press forward with further priorities over the years to come."