THE wild flowers of one of the special churchyards in West Devon have received the blessings of their local vicar.

Last month a new wildlife meadow in the churchyard of the 13th century church of St Petroc's, Petrockstowe, was formally blessed by the Rev Susanna Metz, before being opened with the presentation of a plaque on which part of the inscription reads: 'This area is specially managed for the care of God's creations in need of a helping hand.'

Last year Devon Wildlife Trust, through its Nature Improvement Area project, began work with St Petroc's Parochial Church Council to improve the wildlife of the churchyard.

Now an area has been set aside to allow native wildflowers to bloom and seed.

Once the seeds have set, the area will be cut for hay and then 'recycled', by being fed to local livestock. The area selected contains no graves.

The PCC has decided that initially, a strip of ground will be allocated for the wildflower meadow for three years, when a decision regarding expansion of this area will be taken.

A small team of local people has been appointed to keep an eye on its success, monitoring the plant and inset life of the meadow.

The Rev Susanna Metz blessed the wildflowers at a service attended by parishioners.

She said: 'On rogation days in our team, we routinely bless our fields and farms, so it seems right to ask for God's blessing on our efforts to secure a place for the insects, that are so vital for our food sources. to flourish.

'The church must be on the forefront of protecting the gift of creation — the environment — we've been given.

'We hope with this area to show how beauty, our own health and the health of our world are interconnected.'

Chris Smith, chair of St Petroc's Parochial Church Council, said: 'With 98 percent of England's flower rich meadows having been lost in the past 60 years, every area of wildflower meadow, no matter how small, is helpful as a food source for bumblebees and butterflies, essential pollinators of our food crops.'

Lisa Schneidau, project manager for the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area, said: 'We are delighted that St Petroc's Church has decided to manage part of this churchyard for wildlife, for the whole parish to enjoy.

'Projects like this, which are started and driven by the local community, are an essential part of helping to restore, manage and celebrate Devon's natural landscapes.

'St Petroc's is to be congratulated for its valuable work for Devon's wildlife.'