The people of Wells are being asked to help survey the biodiversity in and around the city as part of a special event being held on Saturday (July 23).

The first Sustainable Wells Bioblitz is aiming to inspire people to enjoy and protect the local wildlife with a series of guided nature walks taking place throughout the day.Among the activities will be a tree walk, freshwater sampling, lichen safari, bat walk, wild medicine walk and butterfly safari.

Almost all of the events are free, although there is limited space on some, so people are encouraged to register in advance. Find out more about the activities and register HERE.

The Bioblitz has been organised by Sustainable Wells. A spokesperson for the organisation said: "Forty-one per cent of insect populations are facing extinction in the UK: we have seen 60 per cent of insects disappear in the last 20 years due to habitat loss, intensive agriculture practices and the use of pesticides and herbicides.

"Furthermore, Britain is bottom of the 14 countries in Europe surveyed for biodiversity, having lost more wildlife than any other G7 country and has been shown to be one of the most nature-depleted countries globally.

"By surveying our biodiversity regularly, we can identify areas of concern, where residents, Sustainable Wells, and our councils can work towards improving.

"For instance, Sustainable Wells is working closely with Mendip District Council, Wells City Council and the Somerset Wildlife Trust on a project to see more of our verges become wild (in a safe-for-traffic-and-people way). Increasing habitat and food sources is essential to recover insect populations, and thus swift and bat populations also – both of which used to be common in the area but have been in decline."

More information about the Bioblitz can be found HERE.