Bugs, bees and butterflies can now find their new home in Worcester next to the Crowngate - as schoolchildren unveiled a new bug hotel.

The brightly-decorated structure in Saw Mill garden, which was built by D&J Timber, is part of Crowngate's initiative to create biodiverse area for insects and hidey-holes for creatures to nest.

Hedgehogs, toads, ladybirds and woodlice are all hoped to take up residence in the coming weeks after children from Perry Wood Primary School helped decorate the structure with artwork, twigs, leaves, corrugated cardboard and tree bark.

Mayor of Worcester Cllr Louis Stephen unveiled the new hotel alongside the pupils, Crowngate centre manager Mike Lloyd and community lead Maya Ryall on Monday (July 17).

Fifteen-year-old Maya has always been passionate about wildlife and as a former Perry Wood pupil - she saw it as an opportunity to spread an eco message.

"I wanted to do something to help the environment and get the children involved too," she said.

"So I went into reception and we collected twigs and pone cones and came up with the idea of the bug hotel.

"It was great to go back and see my old teachers again too and know that I was giving something back."

Mayor Cllr Stephen - who is the city's first Green mayor - explained why the cause was close to his heart.

He said: "This is fantastic to see the increase of biodiversity in the area - which is something I'm really passionate about.

"Sometimes children can be frightened of bugs and insects and this is encouraging them to value them and help preserve them.

"This is really important."

During the day, children had the chance to make their own pom-pom bugs and take home their very own miniature bug hotel.

Food and activities were also held at the Boston Tea Party, under the helm of manager Mark Newman.

Suzanne Beston, head of school at Perry Wood, said: "Maya is amazing and its really important for the children to understand more about the environment.

"The children have told us today that this is one of the best days out they've ever had!"

Crowngate centre manager Mike Lloyd said it was just one of the many initiatives that the centre had put in place to continue their eco friendly drive.

"We have always tried to do as much as we can for biodiversity and to be as sustainable as possible.

"We knew that we wanted to do something with this area (Saw Mill garden) to change it and then it became something bigger.

"Children will be able to continue their great work by taking home their own bug hotel as well."

Dan Cox, from D&J Timber, added: "As a company we try to be as sustainable as possible. We were looking for community projects to get involved with and when Mike got in touch we knew we wanted to build something unique."

For more information on local initiatives around sustainability, or to find out more, visit: https://www.crowngate-worcester.co.uk/, https://bostonteaparty.co.uk/our_cafes/worcester.php and https://www.djtimberbuildings.com/