AN event to teach groups about the conservation and importance of bumble bees and their habitats will be hosted by Wild Oxfordshire.

Data published by the government department for environmental, food and rural affairs highlights that there has been an overall decline in the bee population, which has more than 250 species of bees, across the last 50 years.

The review estimated that the pollinators added approximately £600million per year to the value of UK crops through the quality of fruit and vegetables and the increased amount of rape seed oil., this outlines the potential future risk of the decline in the pollinators.

Kick-starting the array of talks will be director of the bumble bee conservation trust, Gill Perkins, who will give a national perspective of bees and their conservation.

James Gillies from the 100 meadows project will follow with advice on small meadow and wild flower patch creation and management.

Representatives from councils and members of groups who are already working to provide habitats for pollinators will be on hand at the event on July 21, to showcase their work and answer questions.

The day will conclude with a walk around Chadlington Village with industry experts who will identify pollinators and habitats that are important throughout the stages of a bee's life cycle.

The event will be hosted at the Chadlington Memorial Hall, Chadlington and cost £20 more information on the conference and other events can be found at wildoxfordshire.org.uk