A CORRIDOR of wild flowers, designed to turn Torfaen into a friendlier place for bees and other insects, has been planted between Cwmbran and Blaenavon.

Work to prepare the ground for planting began in mid-March.

Now a mix of wild flowers including poppies, fairy toadflax and bishop’s flower should begin to bloom in the next three to four weeks.

Pollinators, which include bees, wasps, butterflies, hoverflies and moths, are an essential part of the food chain.

They have an estimated value of around £430 million per year to the UK crop market, and the value of honey produced in Wales alone is thought to be around £2 million per year.

Declining populations of pollinators has become a growing concern across the world and increasing their numbers in Wales is a priority for the Welsh Government.

The leader of Torfaen council, Cllr Bob Wellington, said: “Without insects to pollinate our plants we would have no food to eat – it is that simple.

“This wild flower corridor will create new habitats for pollinating insects and help increase their numbers in Torfaen.

“It will also create a visually stunning stretch of colour throughout the county, and I am sure that when these flowers come to bloom they will be enjoyed by residents and visitors.”

In addition to planting wild flowers, the council is also reducing the frequency with which is cuts certain areas of grassland that are not already being used.