'Foster community spirit' is the message from a Kenilworth councillor who is encouraging residents to support a new green space initiative.

Cllr Alix Dearing is backing the new 'Bee Friendly Kenilworth' project which is aiming to promote biodiversity in the town.

Bee Friendly Kenilworth has asked residents to engage in local green spaces through litter picking and planting. The 'Don't Mow (yet), Let It Grow' initiative, which is part of the project, aims to encourage households not to mow their lawns in the hope of attracting more pollinators.

Cllr Dearing has said that there are both community as well as ecological benefits to the project: "Evidence proves that the more local people observe and engage with their open spaces, the less crime and anti social behaviour there is.

"People will meet their neighbours more and we hope it will foster even better community feeling."

She added: "Mowing less will attract pollinators, and allow wildflowers to flourish, creating mini havens for nature.

"We want people to engage in looking after green spaces, and have an opportunity to plant bulbs in autumn, or perhaps litter pick from time to time so that they are proud of these lovely open areas which are sadly not common in newer developments."

Run in conjunction with Warwick District Council and Warwickshire County Council, Bee Friendly Kenilworth is to start in the Park Hill Ward, with the possibility that it could be rolled out further afield if it is successful.

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Members of the local Green party, Cllr Dearing, Cllr Tracey Drew and Cllr James Kennedy are all backing the project.