HILL of Beath PS pupils have been buzzing with enthusiasm in their efforts to help save the planet.

Inspired by the COP26 conference in Glasgow earlier in the year, the children have been keen to 'do their bit'.

They were recently offered a unique opportunity to support local wildlife and help the environment at the same time.

Local beekeeper and businessman, Ross Main, from Main’s Apiaries in Crossgates, had approached the school’s parent council with an exciting new project and the team jumped at the chance to help pupils develop a link to a local business and to find out more about the life of bees and the production of honey.

Pupils were asked to design and decorate a beehive supplied by Main’s Apiaries.

The completed hive would then be collected and taken to a specially selected local site to become home to a colony of very busy bees.

Over the summer months these bees will work their magic collecting pollen from the Fife countryside and turning it into golden honey and beeswax.

Later in the season, when Ross isn’t too busy beekeeping, he’s promised to come and tell classes more about the work the bees do and the processes involved in looking after them.

Following lots of chat with classes about which colours and designs bees might like, Mrs Sheena Gill (Pupil Support Assistant) worked with a group of children to put the finishing touches to the design.

Ross was delighted with the HOB hive and with the suggested names for the queen bee who will take up residence in the hive.

Queen Beatrice or Jubil-bee were the top two suggestions.