CHILDREN at a school in west Dorset said they are buzzing after 'getting to grips' with the importance of beekeeping for the environment.

Symondsbury Primary School has started its club to teach children about the practice of beekeeping with the chance for them to obtain their junior certificate from the British Beekeeping Association.

The children are now following a course learning how to keep bees in a sustainable way, understanding life in the hive and the roles honeybees have, as well as being such important pollinators, according to Friends of Symondsbury (PTA).

A spokeswoman from the Friends of Symondsbury, said: "The pupils of Symondsbury Primary School would like to thank Beyond Events and other donators for their generous donations that have enable us to provide beekeeping suits and gloves for the children.

"We have had some excellent practical sessions at the Apiary, and the children are getting to grips with the craft of beekeeping, asking lots of questions, and embracing the science, maths and English, while gaining a fantastic understanding of the importance of bees in our world.

"We're following a syllabus to achieve their Junior Beekeeping Qualification, an assessor from the British Beekeeping Association will come along in July and the children will share what they have learnt during the course and receive a certificate.

"As well as the practical and oral assessment, the children will be creating a collage, model, painting or writing an essay connected to the syllabus to show their understanding of bees and beekeeping."

In total, six hives have been supplied by the beekeepers, but the PTA group said they need to raise funds to buy the children protective bee suits.

The PTA group said around 75 per cent of food relies on pollination, since the end of the war. The groups also said due to the UK's approach of intensive farming has led to loss of habitat and combined with increased pesticide use this has significantly reduced bees and other pollinators.

To help email blueskyskills@hotmail.com or call 07494 935650 or contact Symondsbury Primary School 01308 423502.