WYRE Forest Friends of the Earth (FOE) led a joint campaign on protecting bees and trying a meat-free diet on Saturday, May 21.

The group provided an information stall outside Kidderminster Town Hall to provide awareness towards the plight of native British bees as well as the campaign, Meat Free May.

FOE campaigner, Phil Oliver, said: "The large amount of meat and fish that most people consume is causing a great deal of harm to the environment through the contribution made to greenhouse gas emissions by livestock farming and the devastation of the oceans by overfishing.

"In addition, the production of food is being seriously threatened by the decline in bees, who are important pollinators for many food crops.

"That's why we were inviting members of the public to give up meat and fish for the rest of the month of May and to try to at least reduce their consumption of these products when the month is over.

"We were also giving advice to people about how they can help save the bees by not using pesticides and growing bee-friendly plants in their gardens.

"We were delighted at the interest we received from shoppers and the large number of people who took away free vegetarian recipe booklets and signed postcards urging their MP to support the ban on bee-harming pesticides."

For more information or for anyone wishing to help FOE in Wyre Forest, visit foe.co.uk or contact Phillip Oliver on 01562 850222 or 07969 177987.