FLOWERS are to be planted across North Ayrshire to encourage more bees under council plans to help save the planet.

A local biodiversity action plan covering the next 12 years is set to be approved by council chiefs, with the water vole, Skylark and Grey Partridge some of the species flagged up as a priority in the area.

Council Leader Joe Cullinane said he would be declaring a climate emergency, with a report to start the process of refreshing NAC’s strategy to go before cabinet.

Among the steps set out in the action plan is the planting of flowers to attract bees and other pollinators. The council hopes to contribute to the Irvine to Girvan Nectar Network project, which aims to keep insects alive along the Ayrshire coast. Roadside verges could also be transformed into thriving habitats for farmland birds and pollinating insects.

Officials also want to persuade businesses to help protect wildlife by handing out advice and the possible introduction of an accreditation scheme among other measures.

Efforts would also be made to control foreign plants at the Shewalton Sandpits reserve. There could also be a bid to undertake a biodiversity audit for North Ayrshire. Allthe efforts will be driven through by the North Ayrshire Biodiversity Partnership (NABP). Its members include staff from the council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Wildlife Trust and RSPB among several others.

A council report said the long-term biodiversity plan would help with the priority of “protecting and enhancing our environment for future generations through the inclusion of specific actions to conserve and improve wildlife habitats.” The last North Ayrshire biodiversity action plan published in 2015 set out 34 tasks looking at coastal areas, river corridors, forests and woodlands and farmland.