A SHIPLEY school has helped shape an educational project to get the district's children buzzing about bees.

The Bradford Beekeeper's Association has been putting together an educational package that will be sent to every school in the district in the new year. To test it out, aspiring apiarists Low Ash Primary School has been trialling the project in the past year.

Last year the Gannett Foundation, run by the parent company of the Telegraph & Argus, awarded the association £9,713 to fund the project.

In recent years the bee population has fallen to dangerously low levels, and the association hopes that by learning about bees, the district's youngsters will help reverse the trend by planting bee friendly flowers and learning a newfound respect for the insects.

The school was paid a visit by beekeepers from the group, and got to try on their own child sized bee-proof clothing and look at hives.

Bill Cadmore, training officer for the association, said: "We've produced an educational booklet with different activities that schools can take part in and two DVDs. Low Ash trialled it for us, and after the Christmas holidays we will be sending it out to every school in Bradford.

"The school suggested a few changes, but they were really happy with it.

"It is about teaching children the importance of bees and having a variety of different flowers and plants for them. There is a lot about linking bees with food. One of the activities is showing young people lots of different food, and then taking away any that have ingredients that come from pollinating bees.

"Children can find bees in their garden and local park so it is something everyone can get involved in. They can make little bee hives in their own garden."

In the summer schools will be visited by beekeepers, or visit one of the association's apiaries for a first hand look at how hives work.

Fiona Meer, a teacher at Low Ash, said: "The children have really enjoyed it. The visit to the school was about celebrating the final version of the pack coming out.

"A lot of children in city areas don't always get to experience nature very often, so it lets them know how they can bring nature to their gardens or school."