GRASS verges in the city centre will be brightened up with wildflowers.

Worcester City Council has collaborated with Worcester Environmental Group (WEG) to plant a mixture of wildflower seeds along grass verges, brightening up the areas with poppies, cornflowers and a host of other plants. 

It hopes it will create the perfect habitat to encourage bees, butterflies and other insects and wildlife.

This summer the roadside verges are set to become a riot of colour as Worcester City Council rolls out its wildflower verges initiative.

The wildflower verges will create a splash of colour along the city's boundaries and main routes. There will also be information boards explaining why the initiative has been put up in certain areas.

The City Council has been taking action against biodiversity since 2020 to stop the decline of native species.

And since then the council has been looking to boost biodiversity wherever possible by keeping the edges of grass verges trimmed, planting wildflowers and leaving patches to nature itself.

Lloyd Griffiths, the city council’s director of operations homes and communities, said: “We’ve had lots of positive feedback so far to this new approach to managing nature in the city.

"Our aim is to keep our roadside verges trimmed around the edges, but also to allow nature to take over in certain areas. It looks pretty, but more importantly, it provides a perfect environment for flora and fauna to flourish, helping to boost biodiversity.”

The council is working alongside Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Worcester Environmental Group, Severn Rivers Trust and the RSPB.

Paul Snookes, who chairs Worcester Environmental Group, said: “We need to rethink how we manage our grass verges.

"If we want to see more bats, bees, butterflies, and many other species, then we need to provide them with the right environment in which to flourish.

"What the city council is planning on doing with its wildflower verges is a big step in the right direction and is something we are happy to support.”