VILLAGERS in Wootton Courtenay are playing their part in trying to halt a massive decline in the UK’s flying insect population.

They will be turning their hands this weekend to making insect boxes in a project being led by Sustainable Wootton Courtenay (SWC).

SWC spokeswoman Ruth Walker said the numbers of flying insects had fallen in the UK by 60 per cent in the past 20 years.

Ms Walker said: “They represent some of the most significant pollinators of our plants and crops and birds also depend on a range of insects for food.

“While the declines are dramatic, small changes to our homes and gardens can play a significant part in reversing this trend.”

Now, SWC is organising a ‘Boxing Day’ event in the village hall on Sunday (April 14) from 10 am to 12 noon to help villagers assemble kits made from recycled wood to create homes for insects such as butterflies, ladybirds, bees, and a range of birds.

Ms Walker said the SWC team would also provide advice on maintaining the boxes and the best places in which to site them.

The British Ecological Society said research had shown plants were adjusting their seasonal timings four times faster than insects in response to changing environmental conditions, leaving insects struggling to keep up with those on which they relied.

SWC, which is also carrying out a biodiversity survey and wild flower planting, is holding its next meeting in the village hall at 7 pm on Tuesday (April 18).