THERE'S an opportunity to learn all about bees and butterflies at a special free event being held in East Cornwall this month.

Tamar Valley AONB team, in conjunction with Butterfly Conservation, is holding a bee and butterfly day at Greenscombe Wood in Luckett.

The event will involve walking around the site looking for butterflies and bees, with experts who will show you how to identify the different species, in particular Heath Fritillary butterflies and the Long-Horned Mining Bee. During the day, participants will discover the importance of these creatures and how to maintain the ideal habitat to attract bees and butterflies to the valley.

This free event, which has been made possible through the Helping Hands for Heritage project, takes place on Saturday, June 13, starting at 10.30am and ending at 3pm, including a picnic packed-lunch in the meadow.

Caroline Kelly from Butterfly Conservation said: 'Butterflies and moths have been recognised by the Government as indicators of a healthy environment and healthy ecosystems.

'Their fragility makes them quick to react to change so their struggle to survive is a serious warning about our environment.

'Sadly, three-quarters of British butterflies are in decline and many moths are also facing an uncertain future.'

A spokesman for Friends of the Earth, who are currently running a month-long bee count, said: 'Our bees are in crisis; they've lost much of their natural habitat in the past 60 years.

'The Government has recognised this, and is putting a bee action plan into place to tackle bee decline.'

To book a free place, or for further details, email Tamar Valley AONB at [email protected]">[email protected]