SCHOOLCHILDREN have been busy bees preparing for a special day on the wildlife calendar.

Pupils at Spring Meadow Primary School, in Harwich, are hard at work getting ready for World Bee Day, on Thursday.

They have been taking part in outdoor activities to save and protect bees, including planting sunflowers in the hope it will entice them to the school.

Year 1 pupils will be taking responsibility for looking after and growing the flowers.

Hive of activity - Year 1 children planting seeds to entice the bees

Hive of activity - Year 1 children planting seeds to entice the bees

Children in Year 3, meanwhile, are busy preparing an outdoor classroom that will be surrounded by flowers and vegetables.

Others have been drawing honeycomb pictures, complete with detailed illustrations of bees, while the whole school are buzzing to have their own bee hotel, built by site manager Aron Howlett.

“We’re very excited about the day and have been working hard in readiness for it,” said teacher Rebecca Flory.

“We’d be extremely grateful for any donations of planting equipment, like soil, tools and pots, seeds or plants from the local community.

“We’re hoping to develop an outside area and flower garden, where bees can come and visit our bee hotel, and would be grateful for any support we get.”

On their best beehive-iour - Year 1 children standing in front of the bee hotel made by site manager Aron Howlett

On their best beehive-iour - Year 1 children standing in front of the bee hotel made by site manager Aron Howlett

Buzzing - Year 3 children in the outside area at Spring Meadow. The school are looking for donations to help with this development

Buzzing - Year 3 children in the outside area at Spring Meadow. The school are looking for donations to help with this development