A scheme to encourage householders to become more “bee friendly” has won a significant government award.

Kent's Plan Bee is the county's strategy for promoting natural pollinators.

It has won the Bees' Needs Champion gong for its work in supporting the endangered insects by sympathetic vegetation cutting and careful land management.

The creatures are in serious decline worldwide because of climate change, habitat loss and disease.

The award is coordinated by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), recognising initiatives undertaken by local authorities, community groups, farmers and businesses to support pollinators.

Kent's Plan Bee is run by Kent County Council (KCC) and is the authority's scheme to guide residents in how to help bees, wasps, butterflies, moths and other creatures essential to biodiversity.

A KCC spokesman said: "Kent’s Plan Bee has so far seen the council adjust the way it cuts its hedgerows and urban and rural vegetation to better support habitats.

"It has also influenced land owners and building developers in the county to give over parts of their land to nature conservation, encouraging wild flowers to grow during the warmer months.

"When the strategy was formally adopted by the council, KCC continued a partnership with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) to get the very best expertise on how to carry out its aims."

Kent fruit farms have to buy in colonies of bees in order to grow crops such as cherries, apples and blackberries.

Chairman of Kent’s Plan Bee, Seán Holden, said: “The project was started by me and KCC officer Allison Campbell-Smith in her spare time, with the aim of campaigning to improve habitats for pollinators.

“It has led the way to us encouraging residents and businesses to do what they can to support these fantastic creatures.

“Be it keeping a window box or giving some of your land over to re-wilding, we can all do something to support our vital pollinator friends. A third of all the food we eat comes to us through pollinators.”

Bumblebee Conservation Trust chief executive Gill Perkins added: “Kent’s Plan Bee is a blueprint for other councils to follow.

"The project has highlighted the concern around pollinators and provided innovative and creative tools and activities for communities and people everywhere to help our declining wild bees and other pollinators by providing and promoting simple positive actions.

"It has been an overwhelming success, meeting ambitious targets and inspiring the people of Kent to act for pollinators. A wonderful outcome.”