MEP JULIE Girling was in Calstock last week, on a fact-finding visit to learn about the plight of the Cornish Black Bee.

Ms Girling visited Newton Farm, owned by Tavistock dentist Andrew Brown, where she also met Nick Bentham-Green, chairman of the Bee Improvement Programme for Cornwall.

Mr Bentham-Green said: 'We were able to give her some information on the B4 project, which stands for Bring Back Black Bees. We was able to meet a number of us who are all concerned with breeding Cornish Black Bees and saving them from distinction.'

Mr Bentham-Green said it was hoped Ms Girling would be able to use some influence to draw down EU funding for the B4 project.