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A scheme that has transformed more than 70 grass verges around Leicestershire into mini-wildlife havens has won a national award from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

The initiative, a partnership between Leicestershire County Council and local wildlife charity NatureSpot, aims to improve biodiversity and encourage wildlife, by leaving wildflowers to flourish on urban roadside verges across Leicestershire.

More than 60 parishes across Leicestershire have now signed up to the scheme, which involves volunteers and parishes giving their time to restore the verges, including the sowing of native wildflower seeds and learning about the local wildlife within these important habitats.

The success of the scheme has now been recognised by Defra, which has named Leicestershire’s Urban Verge Wildlife Initiative as one of 26 national Bees’ Needs Champions Award winners, in the Community Champions category.

Under the scheme, verges are generally not mown between April and August, which allows time for the wildflowers and grasses to reach maturity and provide local species with food and habitat.

Councillor Ozzy O'Shea, cabinet member for highways at Leicestershire County Council, and Roseanna Burton, environmental parnerships officer explain to Ben Jackson why the scheme is needed.

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