A new scheme will help local communities to shape their environments, with increased allotments, wildflower meadows and tree planting available throughout Wirral.

As part of the plans to reduce grass cutting, approved in the council budget, local plots will be available for free or a peppercorn rent, with community groups encouraged to apply for them.

Bebington councillor and member of the Environment Committee Christina Muspratt (Labour) said: "The idea behind the plans is to offer local residents the chance to improve the quality of community life in their ward.

Wirral Globe: Bebington councillor Christina MusprattBebington councillor Christina Muspratt

"This could be tree planting schemes, allotment plots, wildflower meadows, or requests to simply maintain them as open spaces for the community to enjoy the fresh air. It’s part of the plans to improve biodiversity, with wildflowers on many grass verges, encouraging butterflies and bees - nature’s beautiful pollinators.”

The council will also be taking part in Plantlife’s NO MOW MAY, a national initiative that supports increasing biodiversity.

Cllr Muspratt said: “We are working together with Wirral Wildlife, who have identified 59 verge sites that have an abundance of wildflowers including cuckoo flower, meadow crane’s-bill and buttercup, which would benefit from reduced cutting through May.

Wirral Globe:

"We are working with community groups to increase the biodiversity of verges, creating a more beautiful and environmentally-friendly place to live.”

Surveys of individual verges to encourage the growth of more wildflowers are also being carried out.

This is being done through the creation of copses and wildflower areas, which will help plants and invertebrates flourish.