A PIONEERING bee hotel has had a new roof installed.

The multi-storey hotel in Three Hagges Wood-Meadow at Hollicarrs, near Escrick, was built to create a special habitat for wildlife, especially for solitary bees, wasps and other insects.

It was originally constructed last November, but it was only this month that a new roof, covered with a carpet of native wildflower turf, was attached.

The roof has been created by metal-workers MDB Associates of Riccall, while Lindum Turf, from Thorganby, provided the wildflower turf.

Sand banks for beetles and mining bees are being added at the side.

Biologist Lin Hawthorne said: “We recorded several species of solitary bees in the meadow last year and now we hope that they’ll move into the hotel in the spring and breed there.

“The solitary bees and wasps are important pollinators, but less well-known than honey or bumble bees – there are over 250 species of them in the UK.

"Unlike honey bees, they don’t produce honey, and some are more effective pollinators than either honey or bumble bees.

"Some of them, like the Ruby Tailed jewel wasp, are very beautiful as well as useful – and they very rarely sting. “Mick Brown, of MDB Associates, said: “We are delighted to be connected with this worthy project and look forward to seeing the first little guests at the bee palace very soon.”

For more information, visit www.haggewoodstrust.org.uk