SCHOOLCHILDREN are keeping buzzy by offering a helping hand to the bumble bee.

Pupils at The Grove Primary School, in Consett, are trying to help the under-threat British honey bee thrive in their area.

Housebuilder David Wilson Homes North East, which is building new homes at nearby Berry Edge, has donated equipment to the school to help bees thrive, including a raised flowerbed, bee-friendly plants and a “bee hotel” as well as packets of seeds for pupils to take home.

Honey bees are under threat from loss of habitat, weather and disease and the company is supporting the British Beekeepers’ Association in its quest to halt the decline by encouraging local children to get involved in planting bee-friendly flowers.

Sales director Fenton Hewitt said: “Our Bee Friendly campaign aims to help support the local environment and communities surrounding our developments.

“We were delighted to provide a raised bed for the school playground and the children helped our landscapers plant it out with a selection of bee-friendly shrubs and flowers. We hope they enjoyed it and will plant their packets of seeds at home.”